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Greek Family Photographs

Last Updated  03/30/2009

Gus Christy and Victoria Paraska on their wedding day
July 30, 1929 Canton, Ohio		 by
George Christy
21  January 2009

    This is a picture of my sister, Mary Ellen Christy (now Stilianos) when she visited relatives in Policarpi, Greece in 1962.
    Her escort is Theodoros, brother of Stratton and Fotis Papakirk, who have lived in Middletown many years. The donkey's name is unremembered but a prime mode of transport back then when only a very privileged few had cars. She spent a week in the village, located in mountainous country northeast of Salonika. The village did not then have running water, electricity, telephones, etc, but they did enjoy the basics of life. During her 6 week trip to Athens, Salonika, and Kavala, Mary Ellen expanded her rudimentary knowledge of the Greek language to an impressive level of proficiency, along with customs and other aspects of Greek Life. She has remembered it as a wonderful experience.

 by
George Christy
24  January 2009

    Here is an old photo of the church on First Avenue.  In my mind’s eye this was going to show more of the church. When I finally found it I was disappointed.
    The church was narrow – I am guessing it sat on a 40’ lot. So you see a large part of it in the picture. I do not remember when it was demolished – probably mid-60’s. The current church was completed as 1958 ended.
    The event was graduation of the MHS class of 1951.  L to R – George Christy,  Jim Hagias, Lula Revelos, Jimmy Bugitzedes, Charlie Revelos.  The priest was Fr. John Papadopoulos.

 by
George Christy
24  January 2009

  This is a picture of my godfather, Gus Valen and his wife Irene with children Tony (much later, a judge) and Despina (deceased).
  I am guessing it was taken in 1939.

 by
George Christy
24  January 2009

This is a picnic at Old Armco Park about 1931 
Row 1 - Thalia Thomas, Nick Demetrion
Row 2 - Mary Thomas, Zmara Ritsis, Unknown, Antigone Demosthenes, Penelope Demetrion,
              Sophia Pappas, Helen Stoikas
Row 3 - Angela Revelos holding Charley, Eleni Vlahos, Sophia Revelos, Sophia Demetrion,
              Irene Valen, mother of Paul Stevens, Luluthea Chakeris, Vasiliki (Lilly) Comminos
 Row 4 - Frosini Revelos, Mary Nick (AKA Chaknides), Ourania Petroglou, Efthemia (Effie) Revelos,
               Victoria Christy		 by
George Christy
24  January 2009

Witness a little style among the Greeks. Note, however, that smiles are rare.
This was taken at the Middletown train station during a farewell sendoff in the summer of 1951.
The occasion was the return of Nick Demetrion’s maternal grandmother back to her home in Greece after a visit of several months.
L-R – Anna Garofalos, Ourania Petroglou, Helen Vassiliadis, Sophia Demetrion,  Victoria Christy,
          Mary Thomas		 by
George Christy
25  January 2009

Witness a little style among the Greeks. Note, however, that smiles are rare.
This was taken at the Middletown train station during a farewell sendoff in the summer of 1951.
The occasion was the return of Nick Demetrion’s maternal grandmother back to her home in Greece after a visit of several months.
Row 1 – Sophia Demetrion , Penelope Demetrion
Row 2 – mother of  Antigone Demosthenes,  Helen Vassiliadis , Antigone Demosthenes
Row 3  -  Sophia Dimitriou, Victoria Christy,  Anna  Axiotes

 by
George Christy
25  January 2009

This was taken at Cleo and Bill Garvin’s wedding reception at the Manchester Inn.
 
Taken Dec 26, 1960  Manchester Hotel, Middletown Ohio
Top row George Christy  and George Nick Revelos
 Irene Pantel now Cavaleris,  Anna Dimitry now Johnson (her father and grandparents immigrated from Mudanya Turkey) Mary Garofalos Gremley, Cleo Garofalos Garvin, Bill Garvin, John Pantel (immigrant Pontos region Turkey) Jim Kinder  John Garofalos
Ring Bearer Steve Garofalos   Flower Girl Beth Goldfies now  Ruff. 
 
Cleo Gavin: We were married Dec. 26, 1960 at the Middletown Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. Bill was teaching so we used his Christmas break as our time to go to New York to welcome in the New Year at Times Square and our lives together. 
by
George Christy
25  January 2009

Attendees of the Ahepa May Festival (app 1948):
L-R - Dena Paraska, Harry Paraska, Helen Petroglou, Evanthia "Babe" Chakeris, Unknown, John Pantel, George "Perimeni" Gust, Gus Christy, Victoria Christy.
 		 by
George Christy
3 February 2009

Greeks at a party with men doing a traditional folk dance.
Visible dancers from left: George Poolitsan, "Charley" Demostenes, and George Manos.
 		 by
George Christy
3 February 2009

This the Queen's court at the Ahepa May Festival, held annually at the Manchester Hotel for decades. Movie star Tab Hunter crowned the Queen that year (app 1960). Master of ceremonies George Poolitsan is visible in the foreground. To his right is Middletown's Queen candidate, Mary Ellen Christy escorted by Jimmy Bugitzedes. Tula and Zoitsa Laras served as pages.
 		 by
George Christy
3 February 2009
Garvin Baptism

The girls in the picture are Jeanine Christy now Kestler (George's daughter) and my sister's daughter Paula Gremley
Date is April 26. 1970. Saints  Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Middletown, Ohio  
Baptism was for Diane Garvin   God Parents George and Virginia Christy
Elaine Garvin  God Parent, Kiki Demetrion Gordon. 
The girls are following the priest during the processional around the baptismal font.

 by
George Christy
3 February 2009

 
G.O.Y.A Officers 1962 by
George Christy
9 February 2009

 
Middletown Greek Immigrants
July 13, 1933
Middletown, Ohio		 by
Cleo Gavin
15 March 2009
Mrs. James Huston







George Christy note: This is an example of how the 'Proxenia' is a big part of Greek social
history or culture. Two friends here become matchmakers for their friends or relatives in
other cities and another marriage is arranged.
 		 by
George Christy
30 March 2009
 Nick Demetrion and his daughter Kathy by
Nick Demetrion
14 October  2008
 Nick Demetrion & George Christy by
Nick Demetrion
14 October  2008
Nick Demetrion & George Christy by
Nick Demetrion
14 October  2008

Nick & Star Demetrion in front of Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio, Brazil

by
Vivian Moon
15 January 2009

Constantine D. Dumenoglou later changed to Demetriou Source: Passenger Record Ellis Island Foundation Ethnicity Turkey, Greek Date of Arrival March 28, 1910 Age on Arrival 21y Gender M Marital Status S Ship of Travel Athinai Port of Departure Constantinople, Anatolia Calling or Occupation, Farm Hand Able to read and write Nationality Country of which citizen or subject, Ottoman Race or people, Greek Father Dem. Dumenoglou Deletleri Turkey In his possession was listed as either $18 or $25 Going to join relative / friend Cousin Nic Loussaly, 388 Water St. New York.

by
Vivian Moon
15 January 2009

 
Derekoy Orthodox church of Haghia Paraskevi

   "Derekoy is  in the Mudanya region of Turkey.  It is located less than 10 km south of the City of Mudanya. The ruins of the church are a result of Turkish aggression.
    Derekoy is the hometown of Charley Demosthenes and of Thomas Catsagians / Thos. Anastasi, who found their way to Middletown many decades ago. Charley operated a neighborhood saloon (residence above) on Clinton Street near Central Avenue that later became known as the Chili Parlor and was operated by his son-in-law, Stan Tsakeris. ( the building was later demolished to allow for Urban Renewal, which never happened.)”
    A short distance north was the village of Veletler, home to many Middletown Greeks including Gus Christy, The Demetrion brothers, Papakirk and Ververis families. Others from the Mudanya Region include Anna Garofalos, Steve Lazaron, Stratis Petroglou.
   

by
Eleni Fytili
14 January 2009

 
Father Milton Efthemiou & Greek Orthodox Church Council Members - 1961
Front Row L-R: Gus Christy, Fr. Milton, Gust Chifos
Back Row L-R: George N. Revelos, George Christy, George Jonson, Stratton Papakirk, Nick Ververis
 

by
George Christy
20 January 2009
Photo from the George Crout Collection, Middletown Library Lens

 OK Barber Shop on the right side of this photo.
Owner/operator was George Phillips, earlier known as Tony Trappas.




 

by
Vivian Moon
19 January  2008

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Please email any additional information or comments that you would like to include in the above research to
 Vivian  Moon vivianmoon@juno.com