Obituary for Silas Louis Stathis Silas “Cy” Stathis, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, mentor and friend, was called home by the Lord, passing away peacefully on May 28, 2018 surrounded by his family. The fourth of seven children of immigrant Greek parents Louis and Koula Stathopoulos, Cy was born on December 6, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. Cy’s formative years in Chicago were marked by softball games with his younger brother Pete, hot dogs, Cubs games, 5 cent hamburgers, movies and early morning milk deliveries with his older brother, Nick.
He was drafted into the US Army and was a proud veteran. While in the Army, Cy’s last name was changed from Stathopoulos to Stathis; a superior had difficulty pronouncing his last name. Cy graduated from the pharmacology school at the University of Illinois- Chicago.
He owned two drug stores in downtown Chicago. In September 1951, Cy met the love of his life, Helen Futris of Winnipeg, Canada. They were engaged 3 weeks later and were married on May 1, 1952.
All three of their children, Patricia, Karen and James were born in Chicago. An enthusiast of comfort, Cy admittedly was tired of the freezing winters and humid summers of Chicago and moved his family to Santa Barbara, CA in 1962, as a job was waiting for him and there was a Greek Orthodox church. Joining a tight-knit Greek community, Cy and his family frequently hosted pool parties and barbecues.
From 1962 to 1990, Cy worked at and owned several local pharmacies. Following his retirement in 1990, Cy and Helen fulfilled their lifelong dream of travelling the world together, enjoying picturesque locales, exotic buffets and medium-rare steaks in over 65 different countries. Cy was a beloved member of the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, participating in many church organizations and events for over 55 years.
He was also a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), acting as secretary for the Santa Barbara Lodge for decades. Cy will be deeply missed for his deadpan charm, exceptional warmth and intellectual curiosities, which included history, business, politics and the arts. Indeed, his inimitable crossword puzzle prowess proved as much.
Cy is survived by his children Patti Stathis (Randy Langel), Karen Carlton (Gary), and James Stathis (Cynthia Daddona); grandchildren Adam Carralejo (Ana), AJ Carralejo (Avni), and Kristin Carralejo (Andrew Petronakis); and great grandchildren Manuela, Penelope and Paolo Carralejo and many nieces and nephews. Cy was predeceased by his beloved wife of 63 years, Helen Futris, who he dearly missed. A visitation and Trisagion (prayer) will be held at 7 PM on Thursday, June 7, 2018 and a funeral service at 10 AM on June 8, 2018, both at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 1205 San Antonio Creek Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93111.
The funeral service on Friday will be immediately followed by the burial service at Santa Barbara Cemetery at 901 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, and then a lunchtime Makaria at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church shortly thereafter. Memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church. May his memory be eternal!
Upcoming Events Trisagion 2018 JUN 7. 07:00 PM Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 1205 San Antonio Creek Rd. Santa Barbara, CA, US, 93111 saintbarbara.net Funeral 2018 JUN 8.
10:00 AM Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 1205 San Antonio Creek Rd.
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