James Frank Pandajis, 91

James Frank Pandajis, 91, of Cheshire, passed away peacefully on Sept. 19, 2013 at his home after a lengthy illness. He was the loving husband for 66 years of Florence Dakis Pandajis.

Born in New Haven on May 20, 1922, he was the son of the late Frank and Pauline Pandajis. He resided on Hubinger St. in New Haven for many years before moving to Cheshire.

He graduated from University of Connecticut with a degree in electrical engineering and worked for SNET for more than 25 years prior to his retirement. During World War II, he served in the US Army Corps as a Staff Sergeant in the Asiatic Pacific War Theater.

He was a member of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, where he proudly served on the Parish Council for many years and was an active member of the Odyssey Festival Committee and worked on the Church newspaper.

Besides his wife, he is survived by one son, Gregory (Barbara) Pandajis and two daughters, Kathryn (Andrew) Rice and Georgia Pandajis, all of Cheshire; eight grandchildren, Timothy, Bryan and Lindsay Pandajis, Kristina, Melanie and Rebecca Rice, Sarah and Matthew Niarchos; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Manny & Mary Dakis; first cousins, Spyro Angelopoulos, Kostos Lambrakis & Petros Antonopoulos; his best friend, George Guillotis; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews, both here and in Greece.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Spyro and Gus Pandajis; his sister, Pauline Varlan; and his first cousin, Angelo Angelopoulos.

The family would like to sincerely thank Hospice Home Care and their devoted nurses and staff who provided superb care allowing Jim's last days to be as peaceful and comfortable as possible.

There will be no calling hours. Friends are invited to attend funeral services at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 480 Racebrook Road, Orange Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. Interment, with military honors in Beaverdale Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to CT. Hospice Homecare, 110 Barnes Road, Wallingford, CT 06492 or to an Engineering Scholarship at UCONN "In Memory of James F. Pandajis". Please make checks payable to The UCONN Foundation, Inc., 2390 Alumni Drive, Unit 3206, Storrs, CT. 06269.

Arrangements are in care of The Celentano Funeral Home, 424 Elm St., New Haven.

To leave condolence messages, please visit www.celentanofuneralhome.com