Grafton – Christie N. Foto, 101, passed peacefully at home May 26th, 2022 in the care of and love of family.
He leaves his four daughters, Deborah J. Taylor and her husband, Tom of Franklin, Patricia E. Reichle and her husband Stephen of Grafton, Nancy L. Swanner of San Antonion, TX, Pamela R. Dennis and her husband Brian of Sussex, WI; Seven grandchildren, Thomas Taylor, Chrystie Hasenfuss, Jennifer Nikula, Jamie Spaeth, Jaclyn Van Alstine, Brian Dennis, Brianna Dennis; Nine great grandchildren, Sophia Taylor, Celia Taylor, Peter Hasenfuss, Jack Hasenfuss, Tenley Nikula, Beckham Nikula, Penelope Spaeth, Emmett Spaeth, Reese Van Alstine; as well as many nieces and nephews. One sister Lefteri Sotillari. He was predeceased by his wife Hazel B. (Esten) Foto, his parents Nicholas and Evgjeni (Petchos) Foto, two siblings, Lule Ruqi and Margharita Gjinko.
Mr. Foto was born May 21, 1921 in, Albania; he moved to the United States at the age of 16 and was a lifelong resident of North Grafton. Chris graduated from the Louis Bregou School of Cosmetology.
He began his career as a beautician with Louis Bregou in Worcester. It was there that he met and worked with his true love, Hazel Esten, whom he married in June of 1948. Chris was the owner of four beauty salons in the local Worcester County area during his career as a beautician/entrepreneur.
He was a member of the 2nd Baptist Church of North Grafton which then joined with the 1st Baptist Church evolving into the current Baptist Church of Grafton.
He had an avid love for music as an instrumentalist of the violin and played in the Worcester Orchestra for many years. He was asked to play a violin solo on a local radio station and was a featured violin soloist at several local Graduations in the 1950’s.
He was a member of the Franklin Lodge A.F. & A.M. Masonic Temple of Grafton and recently celebrated 50 years as a Mason in the presence of his family. In addition to speaking Albanian as his native language, he was fluent in English and Greek.
Chris enjoyed fixing anything that needed fixing at home. No job was too big or too little to tackle. He totally rewired our old 1820 home and redid all of the plumbing! He loved picnics, and time spent with his wife and family whether it be at home, in travel or at his summer home at Hampton Beach.
The family suggests you remember Chris with Memorial Donations to the Baptist Church of Grafton, 1 South St. Box 304 Grafton, MA 01519. Funeral Services are Friday June 3rd at 11 am at the Baptist Church of Grafton, 1 South St. Grafton Center. He will be laid to rest in Pine Grove Cemetery in North Grafton. All are invited to calling hours Thursday June 2nd from 4-7 pm at THE RONEY FUNERAL HOME 152 Worcester St. in North Grafton.
A guest and condolence book may be signed and directions are available at www.roneyfuneralhome.com.
