Charles E. "Rip" Patras, age 96, of Medford passed away on Saturday, July 25. Raised and educated in Danvers and Charlestown, he was the son of the late Constantine and Katherine (Tripousis) Patras. Charles proudly served in the Navy during World War II, and after returning home worked in the field of telecommunications. He was a member of the phone company Pioneers and an avid sports fan. Charles was very interested in history, loved hiking and camping with his family, and did all the work on his house, including plumbing and electrical. But most of all he adored his grandchildren.

Charles was the beloved husband of Demetra (Xenos) Patras, and the devoted father of Charles Patras and his wife Claire of Haverhill, and Karen Patras of Wakefield and her late husband Charles Cook. He was the loving grandfather of Charles, George and Jamie Patras, and the dear brother of Olympia Panagiotakopoulos and her husband Vasilios of Medford, the late George Patras and his surviving wife Eugenia of Medford, and the late Esther Kappos and her surviving husband John of Billerica. Charles was the brother-in-law of the late George Xenos, Daniel and Kay Xenos, and Nick and Eleanor Xenos, and is survived by many loving nieces, nephews and family members.

A funeral service will be conducted in Dormition Of The Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, Somerville, on Friday, July 31st at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit with family from 9 through 11 AM in the church. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent in Charles' name to Hopeful Journeys Educational Center, Inc., 28 Tozer Rd., Beverly, MA 01915, or online at: www.hopefuljourneys.org.