Spiros Emanouil Obituary (1923 - 2013)

CHELMSFORD - Spiros Spike Emanouil (Papou) a long time resident of Chelmsford, died peacefully at his childhood home on March 6, 2013, surrounded by his children. Spiro was born July 11, 1923, the son of the late Stephanos and Theodora (Katsikas) Emanouil. He was the devoted husband of the late Sylvia Strigas for 53 years with who he raised 8 children. He was best known for his great sense of humor, his kindness and generosity. He attended the Chelmsford school system and went on to attend Lowell Technical High School for 2 years. Upon completion of his certificate he worked as a carpenter and then started his own business building houses and new developments. He later sacrificed his love of the trade to move back to the family farm and help his parents and his siblings, raise chickens, and sell eggs to many different markets and to farm the land which produced crops sold to farm stands and local grocers. He continued the hard work of farming and maintenance of his property until his illness prevented him doing so in April of 2012. Spiro was also known as the "Veggie man" by a lot of people. He would drop off a bag of vegetables on neighbors, relatives, and friends doorsteps. Spiros family was his most cherished possession. Material things did not matter to him personally as long as everyone else was taken care of and had what they needed. His generosity was spread much further than his immediate family; he was kind and giving to his nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, friends and acquaintances. The door at his home was never locked and all were welcomed. Our Dad was a very special man to us. He taught us how we should live our lives through his giving spirit, his quick wit and his hard work ethics. Our gift to our father is that we will always maintain the same close family bond that he created and will take care of each other as that was foremost in his thoughts and wishes. He is very much loved and will be deeply missed. He is survived by his 8 children, Steven, Dorothy Howcroft and her husband Brian, Jimmy and his wife Cathi, Johnny and his wife Linda, Leona Sprague and her husband Ron, Denise Marcaurelle and her husband Tom, Valerie Emanouil, Eva Butler and her husband Don, his grandchildren; Jeremy Joslin, Susan Carroll and her husband Scott, Brian Marcaurelle and his wife Melissa, Stacy Marcaurelle, Joe Marcaurelle, Keith Howcroft, Karen Emanouil, Christopher O'Dea, Matthew Emanouil, Donny Butler, Amy Butler, Mark Emanouil, and Kerrie Tonks, and his Great Grandchildren who truly made him smile especially during this difficult time; Aliyah Carroll, Anthony Carroll, Aiden Emanouil and Brayden Kouble. He also leaves his brothers, Peter, Tim of Chelmsford and Chris of Lockesburg Arkansas, his sisters Angie of Palm Bay Florida, and Connie of Salton City, CA. and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in- law, and many nieces and nephews. Spiro will also be missed by his special friends, Sharon, Gary, Manolo, and the whole gang at Gary's Farm stand, his friends and the ladies at Jessie's restaurant and the many friends from the days at Skips. He truly enjoyed knowing each and every one of you and spoke frequently about his friends, both current and past. He took with him wonderful memories of all the events in his life and the fun he had with our Mother and their friends, Saturday night at the Chelmsford Elks dances. A special thank you to his care providers, especially Yuri and Claudia. He felt so happy and safe when you were there taking care of him. Our family would like to extend our sincere gratitude for the many hours of comfort, kindness and love you both gave to our father. Spiro is pre deceased by his parents, Stephanos and Theodora, by his loving wife of 53 years, Sylvia, his brothers, James, William, and Nicholas Emanouil, his sisters, Mary Henderson, and Georgia Diamantopoulos, and also his grandson Kevin Emanouil and his special daughter-in-law Mary (Cookie) Emanouil. Visiting hours on Friday from 4 to 8 pm at the BLAKE FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD. His Funeral Service will be on Saturday at 10 oclock at St. Georges Greek Orthodox Church, 44 Princeton Blvd., Lowell, MA. Interment in Westlawn Cemetery, Lowell. Visitation March 8, 2013 4:00pm - 8:00pm, Blake Funeral Home 24 Worthen Street Chelmsford, MA 01824 Service Information March 9, 2013 10:00am, Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 44 Princeton Boulevard Lowell, MA 01851 Interment Location Westlawn Cemetery Boston Road/Spencer Street Lowell, MA