Obituary of Christo Mathew Dragatsis
Christo Mathew Dragatsis, age 87, of Joliet, IL, passed away peacefully on February 21st, 2018 at his then current residence in Denver, Colorado.
He was born July 31, 1930, the son of proud Greek immigrants, Mathew and Anastasia (Naphliotou) Dragatsis in Joliet, IL, where he was raised. A graduate of Joliet Township High School, he received an Associate’s Degree from Joliet Junior College before he entered the U.S. Army serving from 1951-1955.
He served in Korea starting in the Tank Company 129 Infantry Division 23rd Regiment. He was a 1st Lieutenant in the Army from 1953 -1955. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Chris returned to Joliet where he worked at Blockson Chemical and later Olin Matheson. In 1962, he began his career in the insurance industry with New England Financial and then retired in 2004 with long time friend and partner Harold Lindstrom. During his working years he was the owner of Frosty Tips Ice Cream stores, Hoffman Glass, and The Joliet Donut Company. He also was one of the original partners in the Shorewood Shopping Center as well as developed several residential apartment complexes throughout Joliet.
Survived by his daughters and sons, Ann Dragatsis, Stacey Dragatsis Neese, Mathew (Evelyn) Dragatsis and James (Stephanie) Dragatsis; grandchildren, Christopher and Kyle Neese; Christo and Marina Dragatsis; Anastasia, Alexa and Caroline Dragatsis; sister, Katherine (nee Dragatsis) Deimer; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and great-great niece and nephew.
He was preceded by his parents and wife, Mary (nee Kallas) Dragatsis.
Chris was well known in the community for his love of the City of Joliet. That love provided a drive to always make Joliet a great place to live, work, and enjoy its culture. He helped with many community projects such as the a campaign to "Save the Rialto” (Joliet Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority) which was instrumental in bringing the theatre under public ownership in 1978, avoiding the wrecking ball, “Save Central” where 615 petitions bearing 15,000 signatures were presented by Chris asking the Joliet Township school board to rescind the October 13 1981 motion to close Joliet Central. Chris was also instrumental in the reconstruction of the downtown library and also helped develop the library branch on Black Road. He was honored throughout his life with many awards and in 2014 was the recipient of the Joliet/Will County Project Pride Award. One of his most memorable and well deserved events was being selected in 2016 for Honor Flight Chicago.
He was a lifelong and devoted member of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church. He served on the parish council of All Saints, and was a member of numerous organizations including Past President of Ahepa, and honorary member of the Mykonos Society. May his memory be eternal.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Trisagion Service at 6:00 p.m. at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rd., Joliet, IL
Funeral Services for Chris Dragatsis will be held on Thursday, March 1st , 2018 at 9:00 a.m. from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rd., Joliet, IL to All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 102 N. Broadway St., Joliet, where services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park where full military honors will be accorded by the United States Army.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name to All Saints Greek Orthodox Church Endowment Fund would be appreciated.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
