Christopher (Chris) A. Karambelas, 89, Helped Create I-495

Christopher (Chris) A. Karambelas, 89, of Haverhill, died  Friday evening, Nov. 7, at  Merrimack Valley Hospice House, Haverhill, surrounded by his loving family.

He was known as Papou to his grandchildren, great grandchildren and to his extended family who adored him. Karambelas was born in Haverhill, Sept. 4, 1925, son of the late Anastasios A. and Ioanna C. (Kiriazis) Karambelas. He was the husband of the late Katherine F. (Tillie) Coppola Karambelas who died in 1983, and brother of the late Elaine A. Karambelas. He was the father of Dennis Karambelas of Barrington, R.I. and Lois Karambelas of Kingston, N.H.

Educated in the Haverhill school system, Karambelas graduated from Haverhill High School, class of 1943. From 1943 to 1945 he served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, and was a gunner on the Flying Fortress. After the war he earned his Associates degree in engineering on the GI Bill from the former Burdette School of Business, Boston, and, for more than 40 years was employed as a civil engineer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Highway Department from where he retired in 1990. Karambelas was a field engineer and predominately worked on the creation of Route 495. Karambelas was an avid fisherman and enjoyed all animals, and leaves his dog, Daisy, and his cat, Cat. He loved to walk his dog in wooded locations around Haverhill. He was an astute advocate for alternative and integrative medicine for more than two decades.

His survivors include his son, Dr. Dennis Karambelas and his wife Marion J. Goff of Barrington, R.I., his daughter, Lois and her husband James McCarthy of Kingston, N.H., a brother, Charles Karambelas of Haverhill, a sister, Amelia A. Rizos of Haverhill, four grandchildren, twins Alexandra L. and Devin K. Karambelas seniors at the University of Vermont, Haley and her husband Mike MacDonald, Meghan McCarthy, two great grandchildren, Parker and Benjamin MacDonald as well as numerous nieces and nephews, including Sergeant Byron L. Rizos and Trooper David L. Rizos of the Massachusetts State Police.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his calling hours on Wednesday, Nov, 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St., Haverhill. His Funeral Service will follow the calling hours on Wednesday at 1: 30 p.m. in Holy Apostles Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 154-156 Winter St., Haverhill. Burial with Military Honors will be in Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill. In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice House, who took great care of Chris, 360 North Ave., Haverhill, MA 01830.