E Charles Giannaros

E. Charles Giannaros, longtime proprietor of Giannaros Liquors in Brockton, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2011 at the New England Sinai Hospital, Stoughton at the age of 90 after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Amelia (Liponis) Giannaros. Born in the village of Politsani, in Northern Epirus, Greece in 1921, Charlie, also known as Nonda, came to the United States in 1935. He spent a year learning English before transferring to Brockton High School, graduating in 1941. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and served as an airplane mechanic, stationed at several bases including Dothan, Alabama, and Tucson, Arizona. Upon returning to Brockton at the end of the war he attended the Williams Business School and soon joined his father at the liquor store, which 75+ years later is still a family-run business in downtown Brockton. Charlie was very active in the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church for many years, serving as Parish Council president in 1963. As vice-chairman of the building committee, he was instrumental in the building of the new church, located on Oak St., in Brockton, in 1986. He was a member of several Greek-American organizations including: AHEPA, Alpha Omega, and the Panepirotic Omonia Society. As a member of the Panepirotic Omonia Society, he was dedicated to improving the lives of families in his village of Politsani. In the early 1990s, with the village of Politsani no longer under communist control, Charlie was able to return to his birthplace with his brother Peter and a group of friends and family. A member of the Brockton YMCA for decades, Charlie was active well into his 80s. He enjoyed golfing, reading, running, traveling, and was part of a long-standing poker club. Charlies greatest passion and love was for his wife Amelia, their children and his extended family and friends. Throughout his life he served as a role model and source of inspiration for his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his children, Deborah Wood and her husband Frederick of Treasure Island, Florida, Stephanie Giannaros of Wakefield and Nicolas and his wife Laurie of N. Easton; his three grandsons, Justin, Tyler and Matthew. He also leaves his brother Peter and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral from the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rte. 123), Brockton, on Wednesday at 11a.m. followed by a funeral service in the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 457 Oak St., Brockton at 12 p.m. Interment will follow in Melrose Cemetery, Brockton. Calling hours Tuesday 4 - 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charlies memory to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 457 Oak St., Brockton, MA 02301. For obituary and directions, visit www.RussellFuneralHome.com Published in The Enterprise on May 16, 2011