Charidimos Sitaras, lovingly known as Harry, was born on March 30, 1938 to parents Father Demetrios and Presvytera Maria. He was born in Greece in the port city of Piraeus, along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf. His Godmother named him after her two deceased children. Cleverly, she combined their names, Hariklia and Demetrios, to form the name Charidimos. Growing up, Harry was particularly close to his Godmother, who had lost her children tragically in an accident.

She idolized him and served as an important role model and was very influential throughout his youth.

Harry’s father, Fr. Demetrios, was a Greek Orthodox Priest. He was strict and the disciplinarian in the home. His mother, Pres. Maria, was the nurturer, always doting on her children. Together they balanced each other and were very caring and always loving. Harry was raised in the port city of Athens with his three siblings, Matina, Nick, and John. Another sibling, George, had died as an infant prior to Harry’s birth. Their house was bustling with the activity of their large family and many visitors as his father was very active in the community. Harry’s faith based up-bringing provided the support and kindness that remained with him throughout his life.

Harry loved to read and he excelled in school. He was also very athletic and was named team captain of the high school volleyball team. When Harry was 19, he immigrated from Greece to the United States not speaking a word of English and with only $100 in his pocket. He paid his own way through college by   working multiple jobs at the same time, first as a busboy, and later as a waiter as his grasp of the English language began to improve. He attended Wayne State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Psychology. At college, Harry met and married Niki Rodes (1938-1992) and the couple welcomed two children into their family, Jim and Mary.

Harry began a teaching career following his graduation but after three years, changed course and became an entrepreneur. His hard work, talents and creativity earned him success throughout his life in his many businesses. These included a pizza and sub shop “Keego Harbor Submarine”, a pallet factory “Industrial Wood Products”, a language school “Executive School of Languages”, and most notably, a USDA/FDA inspected food manufacturing facility “Athena Foods”. Harry's achievements grew and were celebrated as he continued to provide a wonderful life for his family.

Love came around a second time when Harry’s close friends introduced him to Eleni (nee Tsatsou). They fell in love and celebrated their wedding and honeymoon in Afrodisia, Chios, Greece, the village where Harry’s father was born. When they arrived home, they settled into their first home in Farmington Hills, Michigan and then later in West Bloomfield, Michigan.

Harry was a devout Orthodox Christian. He enjoyed attending church where he served, part time, as a canter. He loved to play tennis with his circle of friends and continued to write as he got older. He had a wonderful sense of humor and combined that with his writing talent to create and produce a bilingual play, “Divorce Greek Style.” He worked hard but made sure to take time to enjoy life with Eleni and his family. They enjoyed vacationing in Nafpaktos, Greece and in Clearwater, Florida.

Harry’s family will remember his quick wit and sense of humor. Be it a friend or a stranger, Harry always had a one liner to make people smile! His generosity will be equally as memorable. His hard work and success as a business owner and devotion to his family could not be measured. His family and friends will remember him as a comical and loving man who was more comfortable with giving than receiving. Harry’s greatest joys in life were his wife, his children and his grandchildren. They will treasure the memories and moments shared.

Charidimos ‘Harry’ Sitaras passed away December 2, 2019 at the age of 81. He was the loving husband of Eleni (née Tsatsou) for 27 years and the late Niki Rodes (’92).

Devoted father of Jim (Bonnie) Sitaras, Mary Sitaras, and stepfather of Angela (Paul) Geragosian. Cherished papou of Niki and Dimitri Sitaras and Anthony, Zackery, and Elaina Geragosian. Dear brother of John and the late Matina, Nick and George. Harry will be missed by many cousins, nieces and nephews, and numerous friends in the United States and Greece.

Mr. Sitaras’ life will be celebrated with family to receive friends Friday, December 6th , from 4:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. Trisagion Service held at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills.

Harry will lie in state Saturday, December 7th, from 10:00 a.m. until the time or his Funeral Liturgy at 11:00 a.m. at the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 39551 Five Mile Road, Plymouth. Interment will follow at Parkview Cemetery, Livonia. Memorial contributions to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church and/or the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in his name, would be appreciated.