DRACUT - Charles E. Bletsis, 83, a life long resident of Dracut, died Tuesday June 2, 2009 in Lowell General Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Anna (Georgopoulos) Bletsis of Dracut with whom he celebrated 44 years of marriage this past January.
Born in Dracut on December 22, 1925, he was a son of the late Efstathios and Demetra (Belias) Bletsis. He received his education in the Dracut school system and was a graduate of Dracut High School class of 1944 where he was the Captain of the Basketball Team. He also attended Wentworth Institute in Boston.
An honorably discharged veteran, he served his country duing World War II as a Private First Class in the Army of the United States stationed in Italy as part of the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign.
Prior to his retirement, Mr. Bletsis was proudly employed as an Insurance Adjuster. He worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance and also worked as an independent adjuster.
He was a member of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Dracut.
A talented musician and clarinet player he was the Band Leader of the former Peter Charles Orchestra that specialized in Greek American Music and was well known throughout New England playing at weddings and various other functions. In his early years growing up on Riverside Street he was a member of the Riverside Gang.
He was a devoted family man and cherished time in the company of his wife, daughters and grandchildren. He also enjoyed daily trips to Dunkin Donuts and was a regular at Shaw Farm Restaurant for Saturday morning breakfast.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law Demetra and Kenneth Gys of Dracut and Petrula and Matthew Laudato of Brighton; three grandsons Andrew Charles Gys who attends Lakeview Junior High School in Dracut, Evan Gys who attends Englesby Middle School in Dracut and Carmine Costas Laudato of Brighton; four sisters Stella Weyandt and Mary Barbas both of St. Petersburg, FL and Georgia Shadan and Patra Varellan and her husband Chris all of Palm Harbor, FL; one brother Jimmie Bletsis and his wife Pandy of St. Petersburg, FL; a sister-in-law Ethel and her husband George Theos of Tarpon Springs, FL; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Peter Bletsis.
Friends may call at DRACUT FUNERAL HOME 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT on Thursday from 4 until 8 PM. His Funeral will be held from the funeral home on Friday at 9 AM followed by his Funeral Service at 10 AM in the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, Dracut. Interment in Westlawn Cemetery, Lowell. Those who wish may make memorial contributions in his name to either the Assumption of the Virgin Mary 1160 Mammoth Rd., Dracut, MA 01826 or to the Dracut Band Boosters 1540 Lakeview Ave, Dracut, MA 01826.