Updated: Christos Laitsas, 76, Owned J&C Auto

Christos “Chris” Laitsas, 76, passed away with his family by his side Monday, Aug. 28.

Laitsas was born in a mountainous town, Dikastro, located in Northern Greece on April 21,1941, to parents George and Eleni Laitsas. While on assignment on the Island of Lesvos in 1968, with the Greek Electric Company, he met and fell in love with Maria Maro Lambrou Laitsas. They married in 1969. In 1970 they decided to migrate to Haverhill, where Laitsas was long time resident for the past 47 years.

As immigrants with no previous knowledge of the English language, life in Haverhill for Laitsas and his wife was not as easy as expected. After many years of hard work and perseverance Laitsas became the proud owner of J&C Auto. After his retirement he would spend his summers in his hometown of Dikastro. He loved to plant his own garden, make his own wine, roast traditional Greek lamb, and help others and share all of this with family and friends.

Laitsas leaves behind his wife Maria and his two sons, George and Steven; sister, Athina Dimopoulou of Athens, Greece; and a large family both in the U.S. and Greece.

Visiting hours are Thursday, Aug. 31, at Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S. Main St., Haverhill, from 5 to 8 p.m. Services begin Friday in the funeral home at 10 a.m. Funeral service takes place at Holy Apostles Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 154 Winter St., Haverhill, at 11 a.m. Burial follows in Linwood Cemetery.

Contributions may be made in his memory to the Holy Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 154 Winter Street, Haverhill, MA 01830.