Christos Christou, Sr. Dies of Heart Attack. Christou - On Sat. June 24, 1978, at 11:05am, Christos Christou, Sr., 35, died of heart attack. Mr. Christou was an employee of the General Motors plant in Columbia, where he had worked many years as an auto checker. He was born Dec. 16, 1942 to the late Dimitrios C. and Athena (nee Stamathis) Christou in Hopewell, VA, where the family lived with his mother's uncle Nick Stamathis during the war. In 1943, they moved to Baltimore to find work at the Bethlehem Steel plant and eventually built a family restaurant business which young Christou worked in. Mr. Christou's father died in 1956 and the mother left with 4 small children to raise. He proposed to his future bride Rosemary Beckette on their first date on New Year's Eve 1963. Her father Rev. Clarence E. Beckette did not approve at the time among other reasons because he was 21 and she was 17. Her father asked them to wait until she finished high school and her 18th birthday. They did. They were promptly married on July 4, 1964 (he said the date was picked so he would not forget their anniversary). Mr. Christou took various jobs working in a factory making furniture and as a surveyor, before eventually finding work with GM. A succession of children were born in 1965, 1966, 1968, 1970 and 1973. Ill health caused Mr. Christou to receive a pacemaker several years before his death while still a young man. And he had tried to enlist in the army but his heart issues were noted and he was rejected. Chris as he was known to his friends was well beloved by many. He was called the "Cat's Meow" when he was younger. He considered himself a great pool player, often winning money at the game. He also had a great sense of humor and was a favorite of the children. He grew up in the same neighborhood most of his life and knew everyone. His passing will be greatly mourned by all who knew him. Surviving are his widow Rosemary Christou; his mother Athena Christou; mother-in-law Mary E. Beckette; daughter Tammy Rose Christou, sons Christos Christou, Jr., Dimitrios Christou, John Mark Christou, and Joseph Lee Christou, all at home. Also surviving are a sister Mary Anna Belcastro; brothers, Emmanuel Christou, Sr. and Evangelos George Christou; and a sister Catherine Christou; all of Baltimore; In addition to numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Friends may call at the Matthews Funeral Home on Eastern Avenue Sunday and Monday 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Funeral Services as St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 520 S. Ponca St, on Tuesday at 11 A.M. Interment to follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers those desiring may direct memorial contributions to the American Heart Association. (The Obituary he should have had.)

BIRTH: Christos Christou born Dec 16 1942 2:15P at John Randolph Hosp Hopewell, Prince George County, Virginia; father Dimitrios Christou 28y born Coumi (Kymi) Greece mechanic, mother Athena Stamathis 26y, born Tarpon Springs FL housewife; resided 254 Cawson St.; physician Wm Phipps. Mother's mailing address Mrs. D. Christou, Box 104 Hopewell, VA. Hopewell, VA Cert. #64672;

BAPTISM: October 19 1943 Annunciation of St. Angelo of Balto, MD. (Greek Orthodox Church) written in both Greek and English; father Demetrios Christos Christou of Kymi, Evia, Greece and mother Athena nee Emmanual Stamatiades of Tarpon Springs, FL; born Dec 16 1942 Hopewell VA; by Rev. Father Papachristou; godfather Michael Alexander. (Best man of Dimitrios). Certificate #43656;

MARRIAGE: Christos Christou age 21 born VA m. Rosemary Beckette age 18 born MD on July 4 1964; License #4715 on July 3 1964; by Rev. Joseph Lee Milligan pastor of Gospel Temple. Bridesmaid mom's sister Rebecca Williams, Best man dad's best friend Leroy Morrow.

MARRIAGE: News Article Christou-Beckette - - Christos 21, 6504 Holabird Avenue; Rosemary, 18. July 7, 1964 Sun paper issue. (Mispelled as Christon in article)

DEATH: Christos Christou born 12-16-42 VA died 6-24-78 11:05am Balto. City Hosp; parents Demetrios Christou and Athena Stamathis; resided 4031 Sinclair Ln; ventricular fibrillation; bur. Oaklawn Cem; fun. dir. Nicholas T. Matthews 3021 Eastern Ave.; phys. Dr. Mark Hirshkorn. (City Hospital is now Johns Hopkins - Bayview Campus) Baltimore MD Cert. #78-14603.

OBIT: The Sun June 24, 1988; In Memoriam, father Christos Christou, Sr. died Jun 24 1978, your mom, our grandmom, now by your side, we miss you; Tammy, Chris Jr, Jimmy, John, Joey & grandchildren Mark Anthony & Anthony Joseph Romeo Jr. (Placed in the paper on the 10th anniversary of his death by his son Chris Jr.)