Chris Roumeliotis

Christos (Chris) Roumeliotis, 98, of Wenatchee passed away on May 17, 2023. He was born on January 31, 1925 to Kiriakos and Efrosini Roumeliotis in Athens, Greece. Chris grew up in Nazi-occupied Greece and as the first-born he worked hard for his family. He joined the Greek army in 1947 and served for 3 years delivering reports to soldiers via motorcycle. Afterward, he and his brother owned a motorcycle shop and Chris considered becoming a machinist. In 1952, he met his beloved wife Katherine while she was visiting Greece; they married in August of 1952 in Athens. Chris left his family and life in Greece and moved to Cashmere, WA, speaking no English and with only two suitcases in hand. There he worked with Katherine’s parents at their restaurant, The Cashmere Cafe. Chris and Katherine bought the restaurant in 1962, and owned and operated it until 1973. Chris loved running his restaurant and building relationships with his customers. He worked tirelessly, from opening at 5:00 am for breakfast with regulars to becoming the choice of locals for Sunday dinner and banquets for the community. His work ethic did not go unnoticed, as the owner of the Cashmere Saw Mill recruited him to work, and he proudly retired from the mill in 1989 at the age of 64. Together, Chris and Katherine lived and raised their two sons in Cashmere for 27 years before moving to Wenatchee in 1981. He lovingly cared for his wife and home and enjoyed cooking for family, tending to his yard, spending time with friends and family, and telling stories. He was a member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox church of Seattle and active in the Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian Church as they became established in Wenatchee. Chris enjoyed being a provider, and always had treats to share with anyone who stopped by his home, never forgetting to leave something for the mailman or a cold coke for the garbage man on a hot day. Chris has joined his beloved wife Katherine in heaven, to whom he was married for nearly 61 years. He is survived by sons Kary and Kon (Kim); and grandchildren, Kayla (Andrew), Chris (Kelli), Krista (Andrew) and Katlynn; Kathy Garske; and great-grandchildren Nicolas, Lucas, Athena and Josephine. His presence will be greatly missed. We will be celebrating Chris’s life with a traditional Orthodox Funeral Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at 11:30 am at the Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian Church, 1915 N Western Ave, Wenatchee, internment following at Wenatchee City Cemetery and reception to follow. Friends and family are welcome and encouraged to join us. Memorial donations may be made to the Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian Church of Wenatchee, 1915 N Western Ave, Wenatchee, WA, 98801. Arrangements are by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Chris Roumeliotis

January 1, 1925 - May 17, 2023