Abraham Kalaitzidis

Abraham (Avraám) Kalaitzidis, 92, of Springfield, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2022 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Abraham was born in Sukhumi, Georgia, Russia on October 10, 1929, the son of the late Georgios and Anatoli (Houndoulidis) Kalaitzidis. He, with his wife Sofia, was a dedicated, faithful parishioner of the St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral since settling in this area after immigrating from Korinos, Greece in 1964. Abraham lived an active church life, serving on the Parish Council, maintaining a 40-year membership in the Order of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association), and enjoying years of camaraderie with dear friends at the Cretans Association of Springfield, MA. He was extremely proud of his Pontos ethnicity, which could not be mistaken when he stepped on the dance floor… he was a superb master of the most difficult and intricate Pontian dances! Abraham loved traveling back to Greece to spend time with his cherished family and friends in both Korinos and Katerini. He and Sofia did so almost annually, spending many months at a time, keeping strong the family bonds that they valued so much. This was so important since his brave voyage to the United States on the MS Vulcania, arriving on March 25, 1964 with his wife Sofia and two young sons, Christos and George, began a new life with only his immediate family being here. Their daughter Helen was born soon after, making their family complete. Abraham was a committed family provider, becoming a hard working United States citizen and dedicating 27 years of employment to H.P. Hood as a Pasteurizer Operator, proudly retiring in 1992. In addition to his parents he was also predeceased by his siblings, Anastasios (Foni), Vasilios (Froso), Harikli (Nikolaos), and Nikolaos (Eftehia), his siblings-in-law, Cleoniki (Kosta), Nikolaos (Sofia), Christos, Despina (Georgios), (Niki) and (Georgios), an adored son-in-law Peter Renzulli, Jr. and his sympetherio, Richard and Beatice (Simos) Syner. Abraham is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years of marriage Sofia (Konstaninidis) Kalaitzidis of Springfield, two sons Christos Kalaitzidis and his wife Kathleen of Agawam and George Kalaitzidis of Springfield and a daughter, Helen Renzulli of Alcoa, TN. After his children, his biggest pride and joy were his six treasured grandchildren Kasondra, Nikos, Dimitri, George, Peter and Natalie who will all miss him beyond measure. He also leaves siblings-in-law Petros, Elias (Meliska), and Eleni, many nieces, nephews, cousins and close family friends. Mr. Kalaitzidis will lie in state on Monday, September 26, 2022 from 9:30-11 a.m. in St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 22 St. George Road, Springfield, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery in Springfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Arrangements entrusted to the Byron Keenan Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield.