Christie James Stamos

Christie J. Stamos, 101, passed away on June 27, 2025, 2 days before his 102nd birthday, at the VA Hospital Hospice Unit in Bedford, MA. He was the beloved husband of Barbara (Hantzopoulos) Stamos, with whom he shared 77 years of marriage. He was the son of the late Katherine (Katsaros) and James Stamos.

Born on June 27, 1923, at home on Bond St. in Lynn, he was a premature baby born at 7 months, weighing only 1 lb. 3 oz. The doctor in attendance didn’t give much hope for his survival, since there were no neonatal methods back then. The priest from St. George in Lynn came and baptized him at home. After being swaddled in soft cloth, put next to a stove, and watched over by his mother for many months, Christie amazingly survived. Upon reaching school age, his parents went to City Hall to obtain his birth record for entering 1st grade. City Hall was unable to locate a birth record, and his parents returned with the baptismal record to confirm he was actually born. Upon seeing the baptismal record, a clerk asked them to wait a minute, left the room and returned with a piece of paper. It was a death certificate that was filed by the doctor in attendance, as he assumed that Christie would never survive. His birth record was then created, and the rest is history.

Christie attended Lynn Schools and graduated from Lynn Classical/Vocational School in 1942. He enlisted in the Army on April 8, 1943, and after basic training, he began serving overseas on Oct. 3, 1943. He served as a Corporal and marksman in the Italian Campaign in the 3rd Infantry Division, Co. L, 7th Infantry Regiment. He fought in the Battle of Anzio, Italy, at the Battle of Cisterna di Littoria where he was badly wounded on Feb. 4, 1944. After several months of fierce fighting and heavy casualties, the Germans were defeated. He was treated at the 95th Evac Hospital at Anzio Beachhead and 7 additional hospitals before finally returning home and was discharged on Nov. 20, 1944. He received a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, and several other medals, badges, and shoulder braids for his service. He often shared many stories from his war experience, traveled to countless 3rd Infantry Division reunions, and also attended the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Anzio on June 5, 1994 in Anzio, Italy.

Upon returning home, he trained at the Boston Navy Yard, received his degree as a draftsman, and began his career there. Subsequently, he worked for General Electric-River Works in Lynn where he worked on the Gemini space project. He also worked at General Electric-West Lynn Works as a draftsman, and at General Dynamics in Quincy. He decided to change careers after too many GE layoffs/call backs, and began working for the U.S. Postal Service at the Air Mail Facilities at Logan Airport, from which he retired.

He married Barbara Hantzopoulos in December 1947 and they settled in Lynn where their two children were born. They moved to Nahant in 1971, a place he really enjoyed, and resided there until 3 months before he passed away. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

He enjoyed music from an early age, was on several bowling leagues over the years, and enjoyed watching all the Boston sports teams. His favorite pastime was doing crossword puzzles every day, which he did up until a month before his passing. A funny man and a jokester, you could count on him making you laugh whenever you saw him. He loved special family occasions, especially Easter.

Christie was a devout Greek Orthodox and communicant of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. He had been on the Board of Directors, and was also involved in the Harry Agganis Annual Basketball Tournament there.

In addition to his wife, Barbara, he is survived by his daughter Cathie Plassmann and husband Joseph of Peabody; his grandsons: James Stamos and partner Ona Ridenour of Beverly; Joey Plassmann and wife Pimmy of Lynn; Cory Plassmann and wife Sarah of Lynn; Matthew Plassmann of Danvers; and Michael Plassmann of Salem. He also leaves countless nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Kim Stamos, his grandsons Gregory Stamos and Edward Jones; and his brothers Thomas Stamos and Michael Stamos.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple Street, Lynn. His funeral will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the funeral home followed by a funeral service at 10:00 AM at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 54 S. Common Street, Lynn. Burial following at Pine Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 54 S. Common St., Lynn, MA 01902.