Charles Lazarakis

Charles “Charlie” Lazarakis, 95, of Child Street, Warren, Rhode Island, formerly of Cranston, died on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at the Crestwood Nursing Home in Warren, Rhode Island.

There will not be a funeral service, but a Celebration of Life to be held at a later time.

Charles loved to sing. All throughout his life, whether singing the great Neapolitan song, “Santa Lucia” with his daughter or harmonizing with his wife and son, singing brought true joy to him. “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” was a favorite of his and every time we hear it, we think of him.

Charles was born on November 17, 1927, in Providence, Rhode Island, the youngest son of Nicholas and Paraskevi (Vican) Lazarakis. As a young boy, he grew up on Pearl Street, going to school, raising chickens, and playing with his friends. In 1953, upon the death of his beloved father and his older brother, John, Charles opened and ran the Fairway Diner on Harris Avenue, taking on the responsibility of supporting the family.

In 1969, after a lovely courtship, he married Vasiliki (Panagou) Lazarakis, of Athens, Greece, and moved to Warwick, Rhode Island shortly thereafter. During that time, he also helped open the Promenade in East Greenwich, Rhode Island as well as creating the original menu for the restaurant. In 1970 and 1971 respectively, he and his wife, Vasiliki, had two children, Niko and Christina. In 1978, upon closing the Fairway Diner, Charles moved with his wife and children to Athens, Greece, where he was Roebic Laboratories, Inc.’s sole manufacturer’s representative for Greece and where he and his family lived for almost 5 years. In 1983, he brought the family back to Rhode Island where they settled in Cranston and where he later retired. Afterward, Charles and his wife lived in Seattle, Washington for a year and then Monemvasia, Greece for several years before returning again to Cranston.

Charles was known for his kind and sensitive heart, his wonderful ability for silliness and play, and his love of all things Food (especially potato chips). He could also never say no to ice cream!

Charles had a delightful sense of humor and brought great cheer to everyone. He was a marvelous cook generous to share all he knew. Charles loved to travel, which he did throughout his life both in the U.S. and abroad, and in his later years took on woodworking where he created many lovely pieces still treasured by those he gifted them to.

He will always be loved and greatly missed.

Charles is survived by his wife, Vasiliki, his son, Niko C. Lazarakis, his daughter, Christina Lazarakis, and her husband, Christopher A. Bacon. He was preceded in death by his parents and his four siblings John Lazarakis, Georgianna Katsetos, Beatrice Anagnost, and Charles Lazarakis, Sr.

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