Vassilios Karabelas passed away in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 8 ^th , 2023, after a year-long, courageous battle with Mesothelioma.

He is pre-deceased by his parents, Eleni and Ioannis Karabelas and father-in-law Dr. Athanasios H. Anagnostopoulos, from Granitseika, Pyrgos, Ilias, Greece. He is survived by his wife, Demetra Anagnostopoulos of Cambridge and Melrose, MA., his brother, Athanasios Karabelas, sister, Maria Karabelas, and sister-in-law Maria Karabelas, as well as his mother-in-law Maria Anagnostopoulos and many relatives and numerous friends from around the world.

Vassilios was born in Granitseika, Pyrgos, Ilias, Greece, on November 22, 1958, where he lived until his teenage years when he moved to Athens, Greece, for schooling and later, to find work.

As a young man, he served in the Greek army and spent a decade working in the Greek Merchant Marines as an electrician and eventually, Chief Electrical Engineer predominantly on cruise ships. Vassilios was recognized for his immense technical talent by the most experienced international Captains as an exemplar in the profession. He coached and mentored many in this phase of his life, as he understood the unique aspects and demands of the profession.

Upon moving to the New England area in the early 90s, he continued to impress those around him with his natural talent as a creative and skilled problem solver, in complex situations in the mechanical and electronic areas. These abilities served him well as he found his professional home for the last three decades, working at Concord Mobil as the Chief Mechanic where he built lasting relationships. As his good friend and close colleague Charlie Audi often said, he "transformed and put his fingerprints on every aspect of our business." His carefully curated collection of tools — both purchased and invented by him — will remain at that location in honor of his legacy as a master technician and craftsman.

Vassilios was known for his strong sense of values, his devotion to "right action" in all things, and his commitment to the human dignity of others. He had a creative and inventive nature driven by his insatiable curiosity. This commitment to lifelong learning is what enabled his ability to solve almost any challenge placed before him.

While he was often perceived as tough on the outside, those who knew him, knew that his heart was tender and kind, which often manifested in his consistency, loyalty, acts of invisible kindness and empathy towards others. He had a clever sense of humor and observed the smallest and funniest details and nuances in all situations. He loved personal freedom and always applied his own judgment and discernment to everything instead of taking things at face value or following the opinions of others.

Nothing could be written about Vassilios without mentioning his passion for motorcycles, Formula One and MotoGP racing, and the freedom he experienced speeding down roads and highways all over the world, starting at the tender age of eleven. His description of being on a motorcycle was that it reminded him of what it would have been like in ancient times to "ride a horse." He described that feeling as a part of who he was when he was truest to himself.

He married the love of his life, Demetra in Greece during the 2004 Olympic Games, but they have been together for more than three decades. They are from the same village, their fathers grew up together, and their families have been connected for generations. He cared for his family in America and Greece and believed strongly in the value and importance of love and harmony prevailing over all obstacles.

As his wife and family are founders of The Greek Institute in Cambridge, they request in lieu of flowers, donations on his behalf be made to the Institute: Vassilios Karabelas Scholarship his wife will establish a scholarship fund in his memory.

The family invites you to join them on Tuesday, March 14 ^th , for a celebration of his life.  There is a viewing scheduled from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, located at 14 Magazine Street, Cambridge, MA. (617) 876.3601.   The service will follow from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, with the burial at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA. (617) 547.7105, immediately following the service.