Akron, Ohio - Christopher "Chris" Theodore Cherpas, loving husband, father and Papou age 98, passed away on Wed., Mar. 1, 2023.
Born Mar. 23, 1924, in Toledo, Ohio; his family moved to Akron in 1930. Upon graduation from Garfield High School, he attended Akron University but postponed his academic pursuits by volunteering to serve in the U.S. Navy and later the U.S. Army. He fought in both the European and Pacific theaters.
The end of WWII brought him back to Akron to marry his sweetheart, Ortha N. Mollis.
(Marriage for Chris and Ortha was both a romance and a partnership. Together they raised a family, cared for the elderly, educated, and inspired the young, organized church and community programs, golfed, traveled, performed in plays and hosted a dazzling variety of festive fund-raising events).
He continued his education, earning a B.S. in political science at the University of Akron 1949. He attended Akron Law School, Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Marshall Law School, where he received his J.D. degree and became a member of the Ohio State Bar Association in 1951.
Mr. Cherpas had a law office (1953-1957) and served as legal counsel for the United Rubber Workers. He then established the law firm of Cherpas, Manos & Syracopoulos in 1958, which continued until 1977.
For eight years he was a Trustee and Board member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. He served as Director and Co-Director of the Greek Orthodox Church Men’s Club Golf League from its inception in 1969 and as District Director for the AHEPA golf league. He spent 14 years as trustee of the District 11 AHEPA Scholarship Committee and as Supreme Youth Counselor for the Pan Arcadian Federation of American. Lodge memberships include the Masons and the Shriners.
Mr. Cherpas was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ortha, his daughter Professor Patricia Cherpas, brothers James and Peter and sister, Catherine. Among the bereaved is are his loving children Maria Eliason (Jerry), Dr. Chris Cherpas and adoring granddaughters, Melissa and Madison Cherpas, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Home visitation on Mon., Mar. 6, 2023, from 4 - 6 pm ET at Rose Hill Funeral Home 3653 W. Market Street, Fairlawn, Ohio 44333.
Funeral services will be held, on Tue., Mar. 7, 2023, at 11 am ET at Annunciated Greek Orthodox Church (129 South Union Street, Akron, Ohio) with Father Dean officiating.
Interment immediately following at Mount Peace Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chris’s name to the charity of your choice.
For full obituary, please click here...
Posted online on Mar. 2, 2023, and published in Akron Beacon Journal.
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