Christos Konstantinos Kalaitzidakis, age 77, of Salem, Massachusetts and Perivolia of Rethymno, Crete, Greece, passed away on Feburary 17, 2020, at Carney Hospital, Boston, Mass., surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Perivolia of Rethymno on the Island of Crete in Greece, which he loved dearly.  He was the son of the late Konstantinnos and Eirini Kalaitzidakis.

His service in the Greek Navy played a significant role in the path of his life.  His ship was frozen in the Boston Harbor in 1964 and that lead him to meet Jacky Kalaitzidakis who became his beloved wife of many years and the mother of his children.  This life changing event granted him his second country, America.  His whole life was committed to the development of these 2 countries which he considered home.

He was employed by "Iron Works" from 1967 until 1978, all the beams that created the bridges, tunnels, roads and skyscrapers in Boston during those years past through his hands.  He had a vast influence on the development of soccer on the east coast of America.

After the blizzard of 1978 he went back to his hometown in Crete with his family.  He and his wife played a huge part in the metamorphosis of his small hometown, Rethymno from a dot on the map to one of the most renowned tourist attractions in Europe.  While in Crete he also created and coached successful teams of soccer. This was another big love of his life until the day he died.

In the 1990's he returned to America and founded the business "Chris and Sons Painting and Carpentry" and left his mark in the painting industry.  Later in life he passed the business to his sons and went back and forth between America and Greece. While in Greece he met his partner Diana with whom he spent the last 20 years with, building a good life.  They continued the legacy of tourism and all that he was.

Christos put his whole heart into everything he did and left and indelible mark on many lives.  He was an outstanding cook and loved cooking for all family and friends.  We will all miss his amazing meals.  No matter where he was, he enjoyed sharing and teaching everyone he met, about his Greek culture, music and dancing.  His favorite moto was "I never met a stranger".

Christos is survived by his 3 children, Kostas Kalaitzidakis, Eirini Kalaitzidakis and her fiancé Michael Taylor, and Michael Kalaitzidakis.  Loving Papou of Kyriakos and Petros Chatziemmanouil, Elena & her partner Manos Panagiotakis,  Christos, and Valentina Kalaitzidakis. Brother of Argyroula Kyriakou and her family.  His partner Diana and her family. He is also survived by his former wife of many years, Jacky Kalaitzidakis, and his faithful dog, Tsiko, and his extended family and friends.  He was predeceased by his grandson, Antonios Chatziemmanouil, 2 sisters, Maria and Soso Kalaitzidakis, brother-in-law George Kiriakou, and sister-in-law Janette Stratton.

We are grateful to all of the medical and non-medical staff at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Carney Hospital for all that they did for Christos during his lengthy illness.

His funeral service and burial will be held in his hometown of Perivolia of Rethymnon, Crete, Greece on March 8, 2020.  His 3 children will accompany him to Crete for his services.  A celebration of his life will be held here at a date and time to be announced.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.