Charles Haratsis

West Newton - After a long life lived well Charles Haratsis died peacefully on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 surrounded by his family. He was 93.

Born on December 22, 1922 in Somerville he was a son of Greek immigrants Stavros and Maria (Lirages) Haratsis. Raised and educated in Somerville he was a graduate of Somerville High School. During World War II he served with the United States Marine Corps.

On June 3, 1942 he married Mary Stoico in Saint Anthony's Church and they moved to West Newton in 1972 to raise their family.

The late Arnold Palmer was quoted as saying "There are two things you do with your head down . . . play golf and pray". Charlie did both well. He worked at Woodland Golf Club for over 40 years. Much of his time there was spent as the assistant golf pro and in later years as the club's cart master.

Charlie had a number of ways he kept busy and active. For many years he volunteered with the Boston Athletic Association as a timer for the Boston Marathon and was positioned along the route at Woodland Golf Club. He had his own version of a marathon in which he would walk 26 miles every two weeks . . . it was later dubbed, 'his marathon'. He kept this routine well into his early 80's.

He had a green thumb and would tend to his gardens annually and shift each plot while remaining faithful to what he had read in his farmer's almanac. He and Mary made regular trips to Las Vegas where they would try their luck and he would play a game of black jack or poker while Mary ran the slots. He kept current with events and news and will now be remembered through much of the poetry he had written through the years. A trip to Cape Cod with his family was always on the calendar where he'd comb the beach and collect various shells and stones . . . certain to write the date on each that will now serve as loving mementos.

He loved his Greek heritage but also the Italian traditions into which he married. His needs were few but his blessings were many. In the comfort of his much loved home he could enjoy a good New England sports game with a cold Budwieser and a nice glass of wine to accompany a meal prepared by Mary while amidst his family and friends. Throughout his lifetime it was his family that meant the most to him and his love never wavered.

In addition to his wife, Mary of 72 years, he leaves their children, Lucille N. Haratsis of Waltham, Stephanie M. Porter and her husband, Mal of Waltham and Adele M. Haratsis-Flynn and her husband, Dennis of Holliston. He was the much loved 'Papa' or 'Pops' to John Porter and his wife, Laura, Kristin Porter, Charlene and Douglas Flynn and his three great-grandchildren, Hannah, Madison and Ainsley Porter.

Charlie was a brother of the late James, George and Katherine Haratsis and also leaves many nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Charlie's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, October 13th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Friday morning where his funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, 300 Arnold Palmer Boulevard, Norton, MA 02766.