Charlie arrived in Portland, Maine in 1957 on a ship where he worked as a machinist. He met a young lady by the name of Effie Nicholas at the Olympia Restaurant on Congress St. It was love at first sight and they were married a week later. The two enjoyed a happy and blissful union of 61 years and even in his final days they still enjoyed holding hands and watching basketball on TV.
He was a devout family man and always made sure family came before everything else. His sons describe him as a wonderful, loving father who always had time for his children and grandchildren. His sons meant everything to him. At a time of modest means, he would say that “he was a millionaire 3 times over, 1 million for each son.”
Charlie was a pillar of Portland’s Greek community and often hosted holidays and special events with his beloved Effie, where he would entertain his fellow Greeks for hours. To them he was known as Costa but everybody else knew him as Charlie. He was a long-time member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Portland, and a passionate supporter of the church’s Greek School where Greek language, history and culture is still taught to this day. He was also a 50-year member of the Portland chapter of AHEPA, a club that helps Greeks assimilate into American society. His home on Washington Ave. that he would call “Villa Effie” was a sanctuary for many relatives and friends in the community. He and Effie saw many people grow up in that home. They were very nurturing and considered friends part of their extended family.
Charlie was a pioneer in the Portland business community. He was outstanding at starting and operating new businesses. He had a golden touch. , He became known as the guru of Volkswagon repairs. He eventually opened K Brother Repairs in Portland and turned it into a thriving business.
But Charlie had a bigger vision and in 1984 he opened a new shop in Portland by the name of Prompto. You’ve probably heard of it by now. They are the masters of the ten-minute oil change and the market leader in Northern New England. Since that first store opened its doors, 23 others followed across Maine and New Hampshire, and another is scheduled to open soon in Scarborough. The business was a family affair that is now managed by his sons. They say it will be run the way Charlie would want it to be run, along with an extended family with over 200 employees. The culture that Charlie established elicits family values first and the company will continue to flourish with this format.
Charlie had many hobbies, but he had a passion for horses, training (ever the nurturer) and owning some of the finest thoroughbreds in New England.
Charlie is survived by his wife Effie; their sons Christo and his wife Kim, Paul and his wife Irene and Tasso and his wife Valentina; their grandchildren Christie, Costas, James, Gregory, Alexander, Nicolette, Anastasia and Evangelo and their great-grandchildren Ellie and Christo. Also, by his brother Tony and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Olga.
Visiting hours will be held Friday, January 4 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home 199 Woodfords St. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 133 Pleasant St., Portland at 10:00am. Donations in his memory can be made to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
You may offer your condolences or share your memories at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com
