He was born in the village of Kokkari on the beautiful island of Samos in Greece in 1934 to Paraskhos and Vasiliki Paraskevas. Christos was the son of a fisherman, one of six children and joined his father to work and help support their family. Just before the war, his family fled to Palestine and as a result he missed schooling which resulted in a third-grade education. Christos was a quick learner, good with his hands and had an incredible work ethic. He worked in the Snowy Mountains as a butcher and caterer. Christos met his wife of 56 years, Sylvia while working on a boat ferrying tourists from the Australian mainland to the Heron Islands on the Great Barrier Reef. Later in South Africa and Namibia, he joined an engineering company to perform engine repairs on ships. After immigrating to the United States, Christos, became a residential painting contractor. He and Sylvia ran their own successful painting business for 26 years. Traveling, fishing and gardening were amongst his favorite activities. Christos’ passions were his children and grandchildren who filled his life with joy. He passed onto his family a strong work ethic and the importance of a good education.
Christos was preceded in death by his parents, Paraskhos and Vasiliki Paraskevas, brothers, Mike and Alex, sister Katina and is survived by his wife Syliva, brother, George, sister Marianna, son, Joseph Christos Paraskevas, daughter Vasiliki (Via) Paraskevas Kelly, son-law Paul Kelly, granddaughters, Tatiana Pio, her husband Anthony, Annalise Kelly and Elena Kelly, great grandchildren, Haven Pio and Cristian Gil-Juarez, nieces and nephews.
We pray that his beautiful soul is reunited with our Creator, embraced in God’s eternal love.
The Trisagion service will be at the chapel at East Lawn Elk Grove Memorial Park on 9189 East Stockton Blvd in Elk Grove on Monday, September 16, 2024 at 7pm.
The funeral service will be at Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church at 9165 Peets St in Elk Grove Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 10:00am.
After a reception at Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, the committal will be at Cherokee Memorial Park, 14165 Beckman Road in Lodi.
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