Chris Caronis

Chris’s life was defined by hard work, generosity and unconditional love for his family and friends.

Chris left Greece in 1950 at just 17 years old, traveling with his teenage cousins for opportunities not available in Greece, due to the ravages of World War II and the Greek Civil War. Like many immigrants of his generation, Chris began with little financially or by way of formal education. One of his first jobs was as a pinsetter at a bowling alley, manually resetting bowling pins between frames.

Despite the challenges of being a teenager with limited skills and a language barrier, Chris worked hard, embraced his new home, and enjoyed the single life until he met the woman who would become his wife, Sofia. They married in 1964 in Toronto. On the night they got engaged, the DJ on Chum Radio Toronto dedicated “Love me Tender” to Chris and Sofia.

Chris was a simple man who loved playing backgammon with his friends George, Pete and Nikita; secretly rooting for Chicago sports teams (even though he told you he didn’t); WWE and Family Feud; tsamiko music (the louder the clarino the better); V/O on the rocks; coffee with his “gang” of retired Greek immigrants at McDonald’s; and going to the casino with his friends, especially Howard.

Chris, with business partners, opened Omega Restaurant in Niles, Illinois in 1983. For many years, he was known as a face of the restaurant that brought families together to make memories and celebrate milestones. After his children began their careers, Chris retired in 2001.

Since then, Chris traveled to Greece and Toronto to visit family and relished spending time with his children and grandchildren. Chris’ greatest pride in life was being a father and grandfather. He was our “pappouli.” He is survived by his children and their families, Greg (Sheri), Pat (Bob), and Jim (Erika), and grandchildren Alex, Sophia, Katherine, Christina, Annalise, Nicholas (his buddy), Valeria, and Eva. In addition to being survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren, Chris is survived by his brother Aristidis and family, sister-in-law, Helen and her family, including her son Richard and his wife Betty and their son, Thanos; Matina and her sons Yiannis and Thanasi, and dozens of nieces and nephews, and many other friends.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Grigorios and Panayiota, his sister, Katerina and brother Kostas, his special bedmate, Georges, his brother-in-law, Thanasi, friends Pete and George, his brother from another mother, Howard, and other loved ones.

Visitation will till take place on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m at Ascension Greek Orthodox Church, 1207 N. Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire 60069., with funeral services at 10:30 a.m. Internment at Ridgewood Cemetery, 9900 N. Milwaukee Ave. Des Plaines, IL 60016 will follow services.

Friends and family are welcome to join us in remembering and celebrating Chris’ life at a luncheon after internment. The luncheon is at Fountain Blue Banquets and Conference Center, 2300 Mannheim Road, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018. Donations to the American Liver Foundation or to Ascension Greek Orthodox Church are requested in lieu of flowers.

Chris Caronis – Husband. Father. Grandfather. Uncle. Friend.

1933-2026

May his memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made "in Memory of" Chris to Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church in Lincolnshire, IL (https://ascensiongoc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/34/responses/new), the UIC Transplant Center-(https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/52353/donations/new?), or the American Liver Foundation "In Memory" of Chris (https://liverfoundation.org/).