Shrewsbury – Charles “Charlie” Fotos, a longtime Shrewsbury resident, died unexpectedly at his home Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26, 2015. He was 82. As his family and friends gathered on this bittersweet day of thanks, they reflected on how blessed they were having him in their lives.
Born May 20, 1933 in Longos, Epirus, Albania, he was a son of the late Vasilios and Sophia (Dangas) Fotos. He immigrated with his parents to the United States in 1938, settling in Worcester. A graduate of the former Classical High School, he earned an associate’s degree from Worcester Junior College and a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern University. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and worked for many years as a quality control manager for GTE before retiring in 1991.
Life for Charlie centered around his family, heritage, and faith. He met Dorothy Verdi through the youth group at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and they later married Oct. 22, 1961. Always the active steward, the church became Charlie’s second home. He taught Sunday School, was a GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth Association) advisor, and served multiple terms on the parish council as president, treasurer and secretary. He also sang in the choir for over 50 years, was instrumental in the success of many Grecian Festivals, and was a key contributor to the recent Family Center renovation project. He was honored in 2001 with the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Boston’s Diocesan Award for outstanding service to the Church. Charlie was also active with Holy Trinity Eastern Orthodox Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and received the Samuel N. Apostola Service Award. He was a driving force in the operation of the Orthodox Food Center and a longtime volunteer at St. Vincent Hospital.
Charlie was a gentle, humble, and thoughtful man, who had simple needs and many blessings in life. He was loved, admired and respected by everyone who knew him. Always with a helping hand, he never expected anything in return. He enjoyed traveling with family and friends as well as the excitement of a Red Sox or Patriots game. From the time Charlie became a “Papou,” he loved spending time and watching his grandchildren grow, and played a significant role in their lives.
In addition to his wife of 54 years, he leaves his twin daughters, Maria Kassos and her husband Aristotle “Telly” of Shrewsbury and Katherine Mshooshian and her husband, John of Northborough; grandchildren, Mark and Matthew Mshooshian, and Alexa and Arianna Kassos; his brothers, Evans Fotos and his wife Cynthia of Worcester and Peter Fotos and his wife Carrie of Watertown, Conn.; and a large extended family he always cherished. He was predeceased by his sister, Irene Kyriazis, in 2014, along with his beloved grandson Zachary W. Kassos, who died in 1997 and now has his Papou holding him again.
Family and friends will honor and celebrate Charlie’s life by gathering for calling hours Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 4-8 p.m., at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury. A Trisagion service will be held at 5:45 p.m. at the funeral home. His funeral will be Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m., in St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell St., Worcester. Burial with military honors will follow at Hope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral Building Fund, 102 Russell St., Worcester, MA 01609 or Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 300 Barber Ave., Worcester, MA 01606.
