Mr. Charles Bezis of Medford, formerly of Winchester died on Friday, January 18, peacefully after a brief illness. Born in Salem MA., son of the late Cornelia (Karioris) and Speros (Bezianarkis) Bezis. He was the youngest son and was named “Constantino”. His parents owned the Olympia Restaurant in Salem. They lived above it until the federal government took the building by eminent domain in the 1930′s and built a post office. The family then moved to Medford and were devout members of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Somerville. He was the beloved husband of the late Marion (Carroll) Bezis who ran the Risman Insurance Agency for many years, she was also the first woman to serve on the board of the Medford Savings Bank. They met shortly after WWII on a trolley on Main St. where she lived. They married in an interfaith service in the Baptismal Chapel of St. Joseph Church. They lived in Winchester for over 25 years. “Charlie, Grampa, Cha Cha, the Golden Greek,” were all names he was affectionately called. An athlete, an artist and a man on a lifelong journey of learning, he enjoyed reading about world history and philosophy well into his 90′s. Following graduation from Medford High School he worked as a welder in the former Charlestown Navy Yard repairing ships for the Navy. For several years he played semi-pro basketball and football for the Medford Redskins. In his early 20′s he enlisted in the U.S Navy and served in the Asiatic-Pacific arena until the end of the war. When he returned he pursued a career in art and design at Boston School of Practical Art on Newbury Street. He worked as a commercial artist for over 20 years at the Photon Company in Wilmington doing illustration, advertising and printing design by hand. He often took his family on weekend outings to paint and sketch the seacoast areas of the North Shore, NH and ME. He enjoyed photography as well and was an avid home movie maker who enjoyed documenting family vacations, weddings and sporting events. He is survived by a daughter Cheryl Bezis of Jamaica Plain and is the loving Grandfather of Cleopatra Bezis, of Medford, Daniel and Alexander Abdulah, Great grandfather of Dimitri Charles Bezis-Roy. Uncle of Barbara Driscoll and her husband Neil of Lynn and the late Priscilla Juliano.. Grand uncle of Diane, Patricia, Stephen and Joann Driscoll, Stephen and David Juliano. A funeral service will be celebrated in the Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 306 Main St., MEDFORD Saturday at 11:00 am. Please feel free to bring written words of remembrance, artworks or favorite photos. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit with the family prior to services from 9:30 am. Services will conclude with burial at Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. Proud U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII.
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