The following obituary was submitted by the family.
Christos D. Pappas, loving husband, father, and grandfather, peacefully passed away on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Maria; his daughters, Anastasia (Fabian) and Eleni; and his granddaughters, Daphne and Nicoletta.
He was born on March 9, 1942, in the mountain village of Demati, part of the prefecture of Ioannina. Christos, the eldest son of Demetrios and Anastasia (Staparounas) Pappas, was the first of four siblings: Vassiliki, Ioanna, and Niko. He grew up during the tumultuous post–World War II and Greek Civil War period, which brought great suffering, particularly to the villages of the Zagorochoria in Epirus.
The opportunity for the American Dream presented itself, and Christos came to Philadelphia as a young teenager. He proudly graduated from high school while working in various restaurant positions.
In 1964, Christos was drafted into the U.S. Army. After completing an eight-week basic training program, he was sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of a secret joint operation between the U.S. Army and the Belgian Paracommando Regiment. In 1965, during the Battle of Ia Drang, the first major battle between the U.S. Army and the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN), his unit, the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, claimed a Pyrrhic victory with a casualty rate of over 50%.
After completing his military service and avoiding injury in battle, Christos returned to Greece. While there, he was struck by Cupid’s arrows and met the love of his life, Maria Lambrou. The couple returned to Philadelphia and embarked on the American Dream of entrepreneurship. Christos opened a luncheonette at 22nd Street and Allegheny Avenue, which he operated with his younger brother. He later opened the New Crest Inn at Frankford and Pratt. Eventually, Christos and Maria worked together as vendors for the next 21 years.
Christos was a deeply faithful and devoted member of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, where he volunteered his time on the Cathedral council for decades. He was also a proud board member of several Greek organizations, including the Brotherhood of Demati, the Epirotes Society of Philadelphia “Omonia,” VFW Eleftheria Post 6633, AHEPA, and various other committees.
After retirement, Christos enjoyed frequent trips back to Ioannina, where he cherished time with family and friends. He was a talented orator and rhetorician, a lover of paradosi and the rich traditions of Epirus, and an avid reader and student of history. His golden years were spent reflecting on his life with gratitude for the blessings he received and with a constant readiness to share stories with anyone willing to listen.
Friends and family are welcome to attend his viewing on Friday, January 9, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, located at 256 S. 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. His funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral. Interment will take place at Lawnview Cemetery, 500 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19406.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Christos’s name to St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral. To send flowers to the family or in memory of Christos D. Pappas, please contact Riehs Florist at 215-456-1516.