Christos W. Payos, 87, passed away Nov. 27, 2018, at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen with his family by his side.
Born in Haverhill, he was the son of the late Vaselios and Ionna (Niaros) Payos. Raised and educated in Haverhill, he was a graduate of Haverhill High School in the Class of 1949. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving in the 479th Fighter Bomber Wing in Europe and was honorably discharged. Payos was employed at Malden Mills in Lawrence before retiring from the Internal Revenue Service as a transcriber.
He was a big New England sports fan but his first love was horseracing, for which he was a lifelong aficionado. He spent many weekends at Rockingham Park in Salem, N.H. and other venues for racing. Payos traveled to Greece to his family’s hometown before coming to the United States and it has always been a highlight in his life. Family was important to him and he enjoyed spending time with them, especially the holidays.
Payos is survived by his nephew, William Payos of Exeter, N.H., niece Andrea McKenna and her husband Thomas of Haverhill, Great nieces Brianna Worcester and her husband Leo of Groveland, Alyssa Payos and her fiancé Cote McMinoway of Groveland and his great-great niece Cecelia Ann. He was predeceased by his brother Theodore Payos and his mother and father Ionna and Vaselios Payos.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend a calling hour on Friday, Nov. 30 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 12 p.m. at Holy Apostles Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, 156 Winter St., Haverhill. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery, 41 John Ward Ave., Haverhill.