Constantine P. Giftos

PORTLAND - Constantine P. "Charlie" Giftos, age 84, of Northport, FL and formerly of Cape Elizabeth & North Yarmouth, ME died Saturday August 13, 2011 at Maine Medical Center with his family by his side. He was born January 9, 1927, the 4th of 5 children of the late Peter S. and Florence P. Giftos of South Portland. Charlie graduated from Portland High School in 1944 and enlisted into the Navy to serve his country during WWII. Following his discharge, he worked at Peter's Handy Store, the former family owned grocery on the corner of York and State Streets in Portland and then pursued successful sales careers with Amana, Revlon and Sony Corporation. Since 1975, he owned and operated Poolside Shop in Falmouth, now owned by his son, Constantine “Chuck”, Jr. as Poolside, Inc., in North Yarmouth.

Since retirement, Charlie loved spending summers in Maine assisting Chuck, proclaiming as recently as his 84th birthday, "I'm 84 going on 65" - i.e., his joking "refusal" to just sit back in retirement and quit "running" the also former family owned business.

Besides his loving wife of 52 years, the former Shirlee J. Sampson, Charlie is survived by his sons Constantine P. "Chuck" Giftos, II of North Yarmouth, ME and Alexander C. (Aana) of Peoria, Ill, a sister, Athena P. Lydotes, of No. Reading, MA, a brother, Peter S. Giftos, Jr. of both Siesta Key, FL and Kittery Point, ME, grandchildren Melissa, Samuel, William and Alaina, a 2-month old great grandson, and numerous nieces & nephews. He was sincerely loved by all who ever knew him. Charlie was pre-deceased by both his parents and his brothers Sarando P. Giftos and S. Peter Giftos.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation Wednesday, August 17, 2011 from 4-8 pm at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, August 18, 2011 at 11am at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Cape Elizabeth.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital P.O. Box 1000 Dept 142 Memphis, TN 38148.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Charlie’s guest book.