Obituary of Spiros "Spike" Karavedas

Spiros “Spike” Karavedas, 86, husband of Carolyn C. (Peabody) Karavedas of Peabody, died on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at the Rosewood Nursing & Rehab Center. Mr. Karavedas was born on August 5, 1921 in Salem, son of the late George and Olga (Hantzopoulos) Karavedas. He was raised in Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School. During WW II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and flew 108 combat missions in P-47’s in the Southwest Pacific and Philippines as part of the 5th Air Force. Following 100 hours of combat flying missions he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He was awarded the Air Medal, 3 bronze stars and 3 oak leaf clusters. Following WW II he remained in the U.S. Air Force and flew jets with the Mass Air National Guard, 101st Fighter Squadron until being honorably discharged on May 25th 1955. He later taught and was a flight instructor at the Newburyport Air Field. He resided in Peabody for most of his life and a few years in Danvers. Upon receiving his real estate brokers license, he established his own business known as the Spartan Realty Co. of Peabody and Danvers that he operated for 50 years. Spike was one of the founders and Past President of the Multiple Service of Greater Salem Real Estate Board. Past State Director and Past Regional Vice President of the Massachusetts Association of Real Estate Boards. As an avid golfer, he was a 35-year member at Salem Country Club, a former member of the Peabody Lions and Rotary Clubs and also traveled extensively. In addition to his wife of 57 years, he is survived by 2 daughters and their husbands, Susan J. and Christopher Wiendczak of Fayetteville GA, Joanne and Frederick McCarthy of Royal Palm Beach FL; a sister, Barbara Shahnaian of Peabody; 5 grandchildren, Heather Reis, Ryan Reis of Peabody, Brittany Karavedas of GA, Michael and Tamara McCarthy of FL; a great granddaughter, Caidyn McCarthy of FL; a brother-in-law, George Smallis of Peabody; a close cousin, James Karolides of Middleton and several nieces and nephews. His siblings Chrisoula Smallis, Nicholas, Peter and Theodore Karavedas predeceased him. His funeral will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 10 a.m. in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., (new facility) Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Friday 4 to 8 p.m. Burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody.