Charlie Varazo

October 10, 1925

September 13, 2011

Charlie Varazo born October 25, 1925 died on Tuesday September 13, 2011 surrounded by his children, Sava and Georgia and his longtime companion Mary. Charlie was born in Tchula Mississippi. After leaving Mississippi, Charlie along with his family moved several places including Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. While living in Texas he decided to join the Marines at the tender age of 17. Just like his four brothers he wanted to serve his country, so he lied about his age. Charlie served and fought battles in the Pacific Theater, including Okinawa, Saipan, Tinian and Japan. Charlie was severely wounded in Okinawa when he hit a landmine. The high command wanted to leave him behind, but his men told them that they fought with him in every battle so they carried Charlie with them.

After being in a coma for over a month, he woke up on a ship off the shores of Japan, just before the dropping of the atomic bomb. Charlie was highly decorated and received an honorable discharge. After getting out of the Marines, Charlie joined his family who had moved to Pensacola. He joined them and worked in the family owned restaurant called the Robert E. Lee in downtown Pensacola. After several years the business moved to another location in Warrington and they opened a restaurant called The Halfway House. For the next thirty years the family worked together to have a very successful business. During those years Charlie started another venture on learning how to train and run greyhounds at The Pensacola Dog Track. Again, Charlie did very well and had the number one kennel for over twenty years. Charlie never met a stranger. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was loved and respected by all who know him. He was a wonderful husband and father.

Charlie was a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. His family helped to build the church.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents Cress and Mahi Varazo, his wife Efthalia Varazo, his brothers John, Sava, Gus and Nick Varazo and his son-in-law John Chestnut.

He is survived by his son Sava Varazo, Daughter Georgia Chestnut, Grandson Jeffrey Gallo companion Mary Brunson, many brothers and sister-in-lawns nephews, nieces and cousins.

Active pallbearers will be Sava Varazo, Chris Varazo, Argelo Alecakos, Tony Sakalarios, Charlie Goddard, Jeffrey Gallo. Honarary pallbearers will be Cecil Sakalarios, Spero Stanton, Emmanuel Sfanos, Harry Harris and Bob Wheelis, Frank Chestnut, Sal Ferraro and Mike Konstantopaubs

The visitation will be Thursday, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home from 5-7 P.M. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday at noon, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church with Rev. Father Peter Papanikolaou and Rev. Father Paul Mayernick officiating. Interment will follow in St. Johns Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charlie’s memory to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church or Sacred Heart Palliative Care department in Sacred Heart Hospital, or any presidential candidate that may be running against President Barack Obama in the next election.

Visitation will be on Thursday, September 15, 2011; from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Oak Lawn Funeral Home; 619 New Warrington Road, Pensacola, Florida, Funeral Service, Friday, September 16, 2011 at 12:00 Noon at Anunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Down Town, Pensacola, Internment will follow at St. John's Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Oak Lawn Funeral Home, Pensacola, FL.