Gregory Zacharakis

Gregory Zacharakis of Mansfield, formerly of Arlington, died on March 24, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family, at the age of 82.  Born in the small village of Theologos, Sparti, Greece on February 10, 1937, he leaves behind his beloved wife of 55 years Nafsika Zacharakis (formerly Maliotis).  Loving father of George Zacharakis and his wife Maria, Emanuel Zacharakis and his wife Areti, Marietta Zacharakis Courtney and her husband Gene, and James Zacharakis.  Cherished Pappou to Nafsika, Panagiota, and Kristina Zacharakis, Nafsika, Gregory, and Gia Zacharakis, and Olivia, Julia, and Daniel Courtney.  Brother of the late Panagioti (Pano) Zacharakis and his wife Demetra, Presbytera Kanela Koutroumpi from Theologos, Sparti, Greece, Christina and her husband Anargyros Karalis, Paraskevi and her husband Nikos Xintaropoulos, and Efstathia Tsoumbanas. Gregory also leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews both here and in Greece, Canada, and Australia.

Gregory immigrated to the United States in 1955 where his earliest jobs included being a shoe shiner, dish washer, and worker at the Lehigh Metal Corporation where he met his future wife Nafsika in 1962.  After a brief courtship they were engaged and married in early 1964 and have never been apart since.  He and his brother, the late Panagioti Zacharakis, co-owned pizza restaurants in Somerville and Burlington, Massachusetts where many of their children had their first jobs.  His last owned business prior to his retirement was Fells Cafe in Wellesley, MA where several patrons continue to remember his graciousness even after nearly 20 years.  Upon his retirement, he was known as “Pappou” to his grandchildren whom he happily looked after.

Gregory was a devout, religious person whose love for his wife, children, and especially grandchildren was equaled if not surpassed by his love for the Greek Orthodox faith.  He was a member of the Parish Council of St. Athanasius the Great for several years and a member of St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Braintree during his later years of life.  He passed on his love of faith, hard work-ethic, and integrity to his children and grandchildren who will continue his legacy.  He treated every day as if it was his last with his upbeat attitude and willingness to fight his illness until his last breath.  He was the patriarch of his family, a pillar of strength and an amazing role model, attributes which everyone that knew him sought to emulate.  His good humor and smile never left him.  He always preached education and hard work to each of his four children and nine grandchildren; many of whom individually thrive as successful business owners themselves.

Gregory never forgot where he came from. He would often make calls to his home country of Greece as well as to his relatives in both Canada and Australia.  He treated every person that visited him or helped him during his illness as family and struck countless friendships with people in his community as well as those with whom he interacted with frequently at church.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Wednesday morning March 27 from 10 AM-12 PM at St. Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church, 119 Common Street, Braintree, prior to the Funeral Service which will begin at 12 PM.

Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Mansfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gregory may be made to St. Catherine’s Church Building Fund, 119 Common Street, Braintree, MA 02184 or to a church of your choice.