January 29, 1936 - January 17, 2019
We are heart broken to announce the passing of Chris M. Manos.
Chris was born Jan. 29, 1936 during WWII to Menelaus and Helen Manouras on the Island of Zakynthos, Greece, in the village of Galaro with his younger brother Angelo and younger sister Joanna. He left Zakynthos in 1956 with nothing in his pockets to go live and work with his uncle Jim and Marina Andrews who owned Dimo's Restaurant in Tracy, CA. Then, in 1958, he met his beautiful, soon to be wife, Diane "who was from the same island in Greece", at the movie night held at the old St. Basil Church in Stockton, CA. They married in 1959 and moved to Santa Maria, CA where they had their son Danny. They moved to Tracy, CA in 1964, where they had their son Tommy, and where he worked as a chef at The Chuck Wagon from 1964 to 1977. He was also the owner of a vending machine company for 20 years. He then moved and purchased The Country Kitchen in Lodi, CA which he owned from 1977- 1988. He then purchased Croce's Restaurant in 1988, which he owned with his partner Tom Rousis, until 1993. Chris and Diane were married for 59 years- they adored each other. Chris loved going back and forth to Greece, garage sales, WWE Wrestling, keeping up with current events, and collecting different unique items. He enjoyed helping others, loved animals and especially his doggie Heidi the Doxie. Everyone marveled at what a hard worker he was. He will be dearly missed. May his memory be eternal.
SERVICE
Trisagion services will be held on Weds., Jan. 30, at 5p.m., at Lodi Funeral Home. Services will be held on Thurs., Jan. 31, at 11 a.m., at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church. Burial will follow at Cherokee Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church of Stockton.