Chris Daskalos

Chris Daskalos, age 93, born in Monahiti, Greece, on May 10, 1931, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on August 28, 2024.

Chris is survived by his devoted wife, Milly; his daughter, Evangeline Dupas (husband Theodore); as well as his sons, George Daskalos (wife Jennine) and Jimmy Daskalos (wife Nadine). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Chris Daskalos (wife Lauren), Melody Beck (husband Andrew), Matia, Milania, David, Demetri, Thalia, and Elina Daskalos; George, Katerina, and Christina Dupas; as well as two great-grandchildren, Timmy and Sophie Beck.

He is additionally survived by his brother, Petros Daskalos, and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and family members.

Chris grew up in Monahiti, Greece, and immigrated to Las Vegas, New Mexico, on September 21, 1951. At 20 years old and with no knowledge of English, he was placed in an elementary school to learn the language while working at his uncle's movie theater. He learned quickly, began and graduated high school in Las Vegas, and was accepted into business school at Highland University. He attended for two years before financial constraints led him to drop out and move to Albuquerque in 1957, where he started his first business at the Elbow Room Bar with his brother-in-law, Tom Manole. He later sold his share of the bar and co-founded the Yucca Bar with his Uncle Gus.

He purchased the Court Cafe in downtown Albuquerque in 1962, and many downtowners have fond memories of his ownership. Until his last days, Chris visited his son's restaurant, Milly's, daily, befriending and engaging with regular customers.

One of Chris's favorite stories was about a trip he took in 1959 back to his home village, where he attended a high school class reunion in Grevena, Greece, and met his future wife, Milly. He knew instantly she was the one. After receiving permission from Milly's father to marry her, Chris proposed, and she agreed. They were married in Grevena on June 13, 1959, and enjoyed 65 years of marriage together.

Chris and Milly arrived in America with very little money but with a strong work ethic and mutual love. They became successful business owners in downtown Albuquerque, with their main priority always being faith and family. Chris was a devoted husband and father, and a proud and loving grandfather to his eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Gardening was Chris's passion and hobby; he enjoyed growing his own fruits and vegetables and was ahead of his time with natural foods and nutrition. Chris was not one to value material things or money. He often said that the Lord made him a millionaire by blessing him with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved and helped everyone he could. Chris cherished his faith and church, serving on the church board and being recently acknowledged as a lifelong AHEPA member.

Chris is now reunited with his parents and older siblings who preceded him in death.

May Chris's memory be eternal.

Pallbearers: Grandsons, Chris Daskalos and George Dupas; son-in-law, Andrew Beck; nephew, Nick Manole; great-nephews, Thanasi Manole and Nectarios Pavlakos; nephew, Vasili Georgitsis; and friend, Alex Argeanas.

Honorary Pallbearers: Best friends, Roscoe Locke and Martin Vigil.

Service Details

Memorial Trisagion service will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, 6:00 p.m. (viewing 5:00 p.m.), at FRENCH - Wyoming.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024, 10:00 a.m., at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 308 High Street SE, Albuquerque, NM.

Makaria Luncheon

A Makaria lunch will be served directly after the funeral service at St. George Greek Orthodox Church Hall, and all are welcome.

Interment Details

Burial will follow the Makaria luncheon at Fairview Memorial Park, 700 Yale Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM, at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Chris George Daskalos' memory to St. George Greek Orthodox Church or Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico.