Obituary of Tassos Varinos

Tassos Varinos, 89, of Peabody, Massachusetts, loving husband of the late Anna (Apostolides) Varinos with whom he shared 62 years of marriage, passed away at Hathorne Hill in Danvers on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. Born in Chios, Greece on November 11, 1926, he was the son of Frangoulis and Frangoula (Spanoulios) Varinos. To survive the Great Famine during the Nazi occupation of Greece during World War II, his family fled by boat to Turkey and made their way to Syria. At 16, Tassos served in the British Middle East Command during WW II, and later was in the Greek army fighting against the Communist attempt to take over Greece. Tassos joined the Merchant Marines and came to Peabody in 1952. He worked for the ABC Supply Co., Inc. with his five brothers-in-law as well as in the leather and construction industries. He was later employed by the Massachusetts Laborers Union No. 22 in Salem, Massachusetts. He was a parishioner of St. Vasilios and was happiest when he was with family and friends, many of whom lived in the Greek neighborhood. He took great joy and pride in his grandchildren and supported and followed their many achievements from theater to baseball. He also enjoyed returning to vacation in Chios, the Greek island of his ancestors. He was passionate about fishing and gardening, and he planted a large vegetable garden every summer. He was an outstanding cook and enjoyed hosting Sunday family dinners. Tassos is survived by his children and their spouses, Dr. Frank and Tina Varinos of Middleton and Francine and Paul G. Butler, Jr. of Danvers; his four cherished grandchildren, Anastas, Speros, Elias and Sophia Varinos. He was predeceased by his siblings, Katina Karidias, Eleni Stiros and Paul (Panteli) Varinos. The family wishes to express its gratitude to the staff at Hathorne Hill Care & Rehabilitation Center and Element Care. Tassos’s family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, May 12, 2016 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. His funeral will be held on Friday, May 13th at 9 a.m. from the funeral home followed by a service at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, 7 Paleologos St., Peabody. Memorial contributions may be made in Tassos’s name to: Element Care, Attn: Robert Aurilio, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 166D, Beverly, MA 01915. Burial will be held at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for directions, online obituary and memorial guest book.