Charles D. Samardelis, 93, lifelong Haverhill resident, passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 17.
Samardelis was born in Haverhill, Sept.r 19, 1923, son of Dimitrios and Ourania Samardelis. He was raised and educated in Haverhill and was a graduate of Haverhill High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served honorably for more than 20 years, first in the submarine division and then on destroyers and aircraft carriers in the Atlantic and Pacific during World War II, Korea and part of Vietnam. When he returned from the service, Samardelis worked as a precision welder for GE while attending college to obtain his degree in teaching. He graduated from Fitchburg State, Salem State and Merrimack Colleges. He was passionate about education and began teaching for many years and retired from Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School as a guidance counselor in 1986. He enjoyed his students he taught and they enjoyed and respected him as a teacher. He was a loving, caring and faithful man who will be greatly missed.
His surviving family members include his wife of 62 years Ralitsa (Tsandarlioutis) Samardelis of Windham, N.H.; sons James Samardelis and wife Kalliopi of Loudon, N.H., and Charles C. Samardelis and wife Judith S. of Sykesville, Md.; grandchildren, Alethea Samardelis, Christina Samardelis and Jillian Samardelis; great-granddaughter, Mikayla; and several nephews. He was the brother of the late Helen Kichu and Hope Pentoliros.
Visiting hours are Wednesday, Sept. 20, at Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S. Main St., Haverhill, from 4 to 7 p.m. Service will begin Thursday in the funeral home at 10 a.m. Funeral service at Holy Apostles Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 154 Winter St., Haverhill, at 11 a.m. Burial follows with U.S. Navy Honors in Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill. Contributions may be made in Charles’s memory to the Holy Apostles Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 154 Winter Street, Haverhill, MA 01832.