SPRINGFIELD - Stelios Kontekakis, 87, of the Forest Park section of Springfield, passed away on Sunday, July 16, 2017 due to complications of Alzheimer's from which he suffered from the past 25 +/- years. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Kandanos, Crete, Greece on November 11, 1929, a beloved son of the late Demetrios and Maria (Anastasaki) Kontekakis. He survived the Nazi invasion of 1941 in which his father was killed and their home and entire village was destroyed. He was educated and worked in Greece and later immigrated to Springfield in 1967 in order to flee from the right-wing dictatorship which took power. He was employed at Easco Hand Tools in Springfield. He returned to Greece to work a number of years and later came back to Springfield where he lived the remainder of his life. He was a steward of Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral and a member of the Cretans Association Minos-Crete, both in Springfield. He was a righteous man who always worked toward the betterment of his community. Above all, he was a loving husband, father and brother who loved his family and his many dear friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend of 43 years, Pigi (Malandraki) Kontekakis who was Called Home on July 9, 2007. He leaves his two loving sons, John and Demetrios Kontekakis, both of Springfield; his dear sister, Evyenia Kontokrithakis of Athens, Greece who helped raise him and will be celebrating her 100th birthday on August 6, 2017; his three dear sisters-in-law, Marika Fatsea with her husband, John, of Chania, Crete, Greece, Georgia Malandrakis of Springfield who was a close member of the family, and Vasiliki Frangioudaki with her husband, Niko, of Paleochora, Crete, Greece; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Kontekakis, Anastasakis, Fatseas and Frangioudakis families. He especially appreciated his nieces, Maria Kontokrithaki, Amalia Halkiadakis and Eftihia Karayiannidis along with their families. He also cherished his friendship with his koumbaroi, the Moysis family. In addition to his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his three dear sisters, Elli Antonakaki, Vasiliko Papasifaki and Victoria Frantzeskaki; and his two dear brothers, Vasilios and Yiannis Kontekakis. His family wishes to thank his caregivers that assisted with the last 1 1/2 years of his life, Georgia, Linda, Ava, Evangelia and Caroline. His family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. His funeral will be held on Thursday morning, July 20, 2017 where he will lie in state beginning at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 11 a.m. at Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2320 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01107. His burial will follow the Service at Oak Grove Cemetery, 426 Bay Street, Springfield, MA 01109. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the "Cretans Association, Minos-Crete" (general fund), 35 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or to Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral Building Fund, 22 Saint George Road, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com