GORITSAS, RAINA
WORCESTER, MA (from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, published on Apr. 7) – Raina Goritsas, 18, was called home to heaven on Sunday, April 1, 2018. Raina born and resided in Worcester, and lived many of her childhood years in Greece. She was the daughter of Dimitrios “Jimmy” Goritsas and Efthimia “Effie” Anifantis. Raina is survived by her father, Dimitrios “Jimmy” Goritsas and his wife Marina in Florida and her mother, Efthimia “Effie” (Anifantis) Baroud and her husband Matt of Worcester; her two brothers, Stergios Goritsas and Mikah Baroud; a sister, Aglaia Goritsas; A stepbrother, Kyle Baroud: her paternal grandparents, Stergios and Rena Goritsas in Greece and maternal grandparents Sotirios and Spiridoula Anifantis, Barry and Paula Baroud all of Worcester; She also leaves, many aunts uncles and cousins who loved her including, Jesse Anifantis and his wife Jill of Worcester, William Anifantis and his wife Sara of Spencer; Helena Baroud of Worcester; her cousin and best friend, Michaela Goritsas; extended family and friends. Rainas compassion and love for others was evident from when she was a little girl, and followed her through life. She cared deeply for her family, friends, anyone she encountered. Raina had a quiet and accepting soul who had compassion and empathy for others. Raina was expected to graduate from North High School this year and intended on pursuing a career in healthcare where her love for people would make a difference. She loved iced coffee and music. Her favorite color was purple. She loved fashion. Raina was always dressed up, her nails were always painted, her hair and markup were always just right…no matter where her destination. She will forever and always be her mama’s “Boozy Mou.” Raina’s Funeral service will be held Thursday, April 12th at 11:00 am in St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, 102 Russell Street. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. A period of calling hours will be held in the church from 8:30 to 10:45 am prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances in Raina’s name can be made to St Spyridon Greek Orthodox church, 102 Russell St. 01610. The Mercadante Funeral Home & chapel, 370 Plantation St is honored to assist the family with arrangements. www.mercadantefuneral.com.
KOUKNAS, APOSTOLOS NICHOLAS “PAUL”
WHITEHALL, PA (from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, published on Apr. 10) – Apostolos Nicholas “Paul” Kouknas, Age 66, of Whitehall, passed on Saturday, April 7, 2018. Beloved son of the late Angeliki and the late Nicholas Kouknas; beloved father of Angela (Robert) Kouknas- Schafer and Athina (Dean) Kouknas-Mourselas; dear brother of Titika (Perry) Karakatsanis and John (Mari) Kouknas; loving grandfather of Will, Ava, and Melina Schafer and Gianni Mourselas; uncle of Smaro Karakatsanis-Caras, Angie Karakatsanis-Katora, and Niko and Andreas Kouknas. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 11, 2018, from 4-8 p.m. at English Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 378 Maryland Ave., Oakmont, PA 15139 where a Trisagion Service will be held at 7 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, April 12, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. in the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church, Oakmont where visitation will be held beginning at 10 a.m. until the service. A private interment will be held at a later date in his village of Chrisostomos, Ikaria, Greece. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pan Icarian Foundation at PO Box 79037, Pgh., PA 15216. Online condolences may be made to: englishfuneralhome.com
MAGAFAN, SOPHIE
BOWIE, MD (from the Washington Post, published on Apr. 3) – Sophie Nezi Magafan (Age 85) died of a broken heart at her home in Bowie, MD on Sunday April 1, 2018. She was born in 1933 in Meligala, Greece. She survived many things including wars in which she lost her father, an earthquake, the loss of her husband Dimitrios and finally the loss of her beloved son Angelo. Sophie was a loving and caring wife and mother and she worked hard for the family business, Alpha Foods, Inc. She is survived by her loving daughter Eugenia and son-in-law Antony Stubos, one sister Panayiota Nezi Deligiannis and many beloved nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends on Wednesday April 4, 2018 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 NW Crain Hwy (Rt. 3 South), Bowie, MD. Funeral services will be held at St. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2747 Riva Road, Annapolis, MD on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 10 a.m. Interment, St. Demetrios Cemetery, Annapolis, MD. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn, 38105. Please view and sign the family’s guestbook at: www.beallfuneral.com.
OTTOMANIELLO, CALLIOPE
INDIAN ORCHARD, MA (from The Republican, published on Apr. 5) – Calliope “Phylis” Ottomaniello, 86, passed away peacefully on Holy Thursday evening, March 29, 2018, at Agawam Health Care. Phylis is now reunited with her loving husband, Joseph and daughter, Jo-Ann in Heaven. Just as Jesus broke bread on this day and gave it to his disciples, uttering the words; “This is my body, which is given for you” Phylis’ loving daughters and family gave their mother back to God and to eternal life, her family surrounding Phylis with their love. Phylis was born on October 3, 1931 in Springfield, MA, the daughter of Peter Patrakis, an immigrant from Greece and Evelyn Casino of Springfield, MA. She grew up in Springfield and graduated from The High School of Commerce. She married Joseph F. Ottomaniello on February 3, 1952 and they settled in Springfield to raise their family. Phylis worked at Milton Bradley and at the former Zayre’s stores. She retired in 1972 and spent many years doting on her grandchildren and traveling with her husband to many USS Leedstown reunions and collecting ducks. She loved the beach and family gatherings. Her legacy will live on with her recipes for meatballs and Greek cookies. She was a devoted communicant of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Springfield. Phylis was sadly predeceased by her loving husband, Joseph Ottomaniello on August 2, 2005 and her cherished daughter, Jo-Ann on December 11, 1952. She leaves two devoted daughters; Marie E. Berthiaume and her husband Roland of Ludlow and Tina L. Frye and her husband Joseph of Springfield; her loving grandchildren, Craig Berthiaume and his wife, Dana, Carrie Berthiaume, Eric Frye and his wife Amy, Lisa Frye and her boyfriend Nick Alford and Daniel Frye and his fiancée, Kayla Brown and four cherished great-great grandchildren; Ashley & Courtney Berthiaume and Shane & Gabriel Frye as well as several nieces and nephews including Michael and his wife Jane. The family would like to thank the staff at Agawam Health Care, especially Val, as well as Beacon Hospice who treated our mother with dignity and respect as her health declined. We are grateful for their compassion showed to our family. The Family invites you to join them on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 1023 Parker St., Spfld. at 11:00 A.M. to celebrate the Liturgy of Christian burial for Phylis. The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. at the church. Phylis’ ashes will be interred in Gate of Heaven Cemetery following the mass. In lieu of flowers, donations in Phylis’ memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the charity of your choice.
POLYHRONAKIS, MATTHEW TIMOTHY
SANTA CRUZ, CA (from The Yuma Sun, published on Apr. 11) – Matthew Timothy Polyhronakis, 26, died tragically on April 2 in a single car automobile accident in northern California. Matt was born in Salinas on July 26, 1991, and spent his early years there. He moved to northern California in 2004, and then lived in Las Vegas and Yuma Arizona before returning to California. Along his short journey in this world, Matt touched many people with his beautiful soul, his humor, music, and smile. He was incredibly intelligent, and from a young age he could carry on a conversation about bugs, electricity or the universe. No matter the topic, Matt instinctively knew something about it. He never met a person he could not connect with at some level, and people who met him always remembered him. He spent a summer in Greece immersing himself in his Greek roots and visiting family. That trip and his time spent working at the annual Greek Festivals in Santa Cruz, brought Matt genuine peace and nourished his connections to his ethnicity and spiritual being. Matt is survived by his mother, Kimberly Polyhronakis (Adan Estrada), his grandmother Ellen Curtis, Grandmother Karen Rosaaen, great aunts Martha, Linda and Cathye, his brother Michael, sisters Calista Garcia and Mary Ellen (Aaron) North, aunts Sophie Polyhronakis (Rufino Madrigal), Dena Polyhronakis (Brian Murphy), Leah and Caitlin Curtis, uncles Cortlandt, Chris, Jeff and Matthew Rosaaen, Aaron, Damian and Garth Curtis, niece Athena North, nephews Glenden Polyhronakis, Desmond and Nathaniel North, cousins Frank, Jake, and Casey Gombos, and more friends and relatives than can be listed. Services will be held on Thursday, April 12 at 1:00 pm at the Prophet Elias Greek Church in Santa Cruz, and a reception will follow.
STAMOS, MARY
GLENVIEW, IL (from the Chicago Tribune, published on Apr. 3) – Mary “Daisy” Rafel Stamos passed away peacefully on April 2 2018 at the age of 88. She was preceded in death by her husbands John J. Stamos and Andrew C. Sotter. Adored mother of Cindy McGarrigle (Jack) Andrea Sotter and Dean Sotter (Carole). Dear aunt of Tony Rafel Cathy Edelman (Guy) and Barb Rafel (Patrick McGarrigle). Stepmother to James Stamos (Julie) Theo Stamos (Craig Esherick) Colleen Stamos and Jana DiMartino (Brian). Loving Yiayia of Neal Johnson (Libby) Alex & Lydia Fernandes Jane & Andy Sotter Jack & Mike Stamos Nicko & Zack Esherick. Great-Yiayia to George Johnson. She also leaves behind her devoted caregiver and friend Mari Rose Balladares. A lifelong resident of Chicago Mary worked for the American College of Surgeons during the early years of her marriage. After having her three children she realized a lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. She taught first second and third grades at Crestwood and Meadowbrook schools in Northbrook for 22 years. Her students remember her fondly and continued to visit her after her retirement. Mary had the ability to energize a room with her contagious laughter. She was delighted to see her beloved Chicago Cubs win the championship in 2016. Mary loved her Greek community and church and her family’s native island of Sifnos, Greece. She was an accomplished pianist and took lessons until the age of 84. Visitation 4:00-8:00 pm on Tuesday at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home 1104 Waukegan Rd. Glenview. Family and Friends will meet on Wednesday at Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church 1401 Wagner Rd. Glenview for funeral service at 12:00 noon. Interment at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the music therapy program at JourneyCare.org Hospice where Mary volunteered for many years.
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