Christ A. Dangles, son of the late Avangelos Dangles and Georgia Chipianitas, brother to the late: Catherine (Peter) Panos, Tom (Kay) Dangles, John (Rose) Dangles, Tim Dangles, Demetra (George) Mannos, and Sophia (Peter) Skoubis; beloved husband to the late Mary Dangles, and the “fun” uncle to many nieces and nephews, passed away on April 29, 2024, six months shy of his 100th birthday.
Born in Chicago, Illinois on November 18, 1924, he was raised in the Bridgeport neighborhood where he worked at an early age in the family business, Dangles and Sons Food Shop, located at 32nd and Halsted. He graduated from Gage Park High School in 1942 where he was a champion swimmer and gymnast.
During World War II, he was drafted into the United States Navy, and served from 1943 to 1945 aboard the light cruiser USS Birmingham. He was decorated with a Purple Heart after enduring a devastating explosion. According to his information in recent years, he was the last remaining survivor.
Upon returning to the States, he enjoyed the thrill of boat racing and traveled to many tournaments and events. He also began working at Automatic Electric, where he began mastering the electrician trade. Self-taught, he soon became a skillful, productive, and respected electrician. He eventually became a foreman with Brown Electric where he worked from 1951-1990.
Married to his cherished wife, Mary, from 1972 until her passing in 2015, they were affectionately referred to as the “Honeymooners” or “Chrismar”, although they simply preferred “honey” and “cookie”. Together they lived a charmed life, enthusiastically traveling the world, making lifelong friendships along the way, and sharing their joy with everyone they met. Their favorite adventures were in Hawaii and Greece… and of course there was Paris.
They were devoted members of the Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, where they took part in several pilgrimages to the Holy Lands and participated in bible study. Christ served as a board member and volunteered his electrical and building expertise.
After he and Mary attended various reunions with other USS Birmingham survivors throughout the country, Christ began sharing more about his experiences in the war. He volunteered his time, lecturing to fascinated middle and high school history students.
One of the last of the “greatest generation”, he was a man of high integrity, class, humor, and wit. He will be best remembered for his delightful corny jokes, warm sparkling demeanor, quoting Albert Einstein, and sharing his unique wisdom and advice. There wasn’t an electrical, plumbing, or building problem for which he wouldn’t roll up his sleeves and solve, generously offering his time and skills to all his family and friends alike.
A true hero, an inspiration, and a blessing to us all! He will be terribly missed. May his memory be eternal and may he rest in peace together again with his beloved Mary.
Sail on, Sailor.
Friends and family will gather for a visitation for Christ that be held on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024 from 10:00 – 10:30am at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, 2501 South Wolf Road, Westchester, IL with a funeral service from 10:30 – 11:30am at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church. Interment following funeral service in the Garden of Ascension at Chapel Hills West Cemetery, 17W201 Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace, IL.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church (Westchester, IL) in memory of Christ Dangles.
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