Christe Kiskinis

The jovial Christe Kiskinis lived on this earth for 82 years, and exited it on Sunday, April 8, 2012, in Houston, Texas. But, let’s go back to the joyous time when he entered it, on August 15, 1929, in the verdant mountains of Trikala, Greece. The young, vivacious Christe attended high school in Trikala and graduated with academic honors. He served in the Hellenic Air Force for a year, and was then transferred to the Chanute U.S. Air Force Base in Champagne, Illinois in 1949. Christie was apart of the 3350th Technical Training Squadron and graduated at the top of his class with 4.5 G.P.A. With the experience and knowledge he gained from the U.S. Air Force, he began formal training in electro mechanical systems for Otis elevators in Brazil. In the 1960’s he immigrated to Toronto, Canada and continued to develop his skills in the art of elevator mechanics. In the late 1960’s, he moved back to Greece and provided his expertise in elevator systems for Otis elevators, and worked with Markos and Chris Veremis in some of the most prominent elevator projects of that time, such as the Hotel Hilton Athens and the Tower of Athens. In the mid 1970’s Christe moved to Houston, Texas and entered the foreign food business with Tony Shelton and Andrew Ioannides. Together, they specialized in the marketing and selling of international food products and later formed Andros Foreign Foods, which was one of the first of its kind to bring a variety of imported delicacies to the city of Houston. Through out the years at Andros, Christe made him self known to his clientele as the endearing and jocular “Christoforo Colombo”. He completely retired from the food business in 2009 to enjoy life and spend time with his loved ones and travel. Christie is survived by his wife Stasie, his son Adam, his daughter Sophie, his grandson Chris, and his granddaughter Autumn Stasie.

The Wake/Visitation will be held on Monday, April 16, 2012 from 6:00 until 8:00p.m. at St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church at 1100 Eldridge Parkway, Houston, TX 77077. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church with the Rev. Father Anastasios Raptis. Funeral Services will then conclude at Memorial Oaks Cemetery at 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX, 77079.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to the St. Basil the Great, Greek Orthodox Church’s building fund.