Christos "Chris" Ritzakis, 88, passed away peacefully in hospice care in Lincoln, MA on Monday, October 12, 2026.Born on August 5, 1938, in Chania, Crete, Greece, Christos was the eldest of six children. 

In 1961, at the age of 23, he left his homeland in search of a better life. His journey took him first to Germany and then Canada before he immigrated to the United States in 1964, eventually settling in Utah, where he built a career in the restaurant business and left a lasting impression on his community.

As the owner of restaurants including the Redwood Inn and Nector's Restaurant, Christos was known for his hard work, hospitality, and generosity. For more than a quarter-century, he organized free Thanksgiving dinners, opening his doors to anyone in need of a warm meal or a place to spend the holiday. What began as a personal expression of gratitude for the opportunities he had found in America grew into a cherished annual tradition, serving as many as 2,000 people in a single Thanksgiving. His efforts brought together volunteers and members of the community, all united by his belief that no one should have to spend the holidays alone. 

His generosity earned widespread recognition, including his selection as a torchbearer for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.Following his retirement from the restaurant business, Christos and his wife, Virginia, moved to the Greater Boston area to be closer to their son, who stayed in Massachusetts after college. 

Christos found welcoming spiritual homes at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Boston, St. Nektarios in Roslindale, and St. Nicholas in Lexington. He developed cherished friendships within these communities and continued doing what came most naturally to him: volunteering, particularly in the church kitchens, where his love of food and fellowship could once again bring people together.

Christos is survived by his beloved wife, Virginia; his daughters from a previous marriage, Alexia Hatzipolakis, Eleni Karahalios, and Despina Olson, and their families in Utah; and his son, Nector Ritzakis, his wife, Daphne, and their children, Efimia, Dimitra, and Christo.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 19, 2026, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 17 Meriam Street, Lexington, Massachusetts.

Visitation will take place from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Christos's memory may be made to St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Roslindale, Massachusetts.