Costa Chalas

Age 90, of Plymouth, passed away on Tuesday, August 19th, after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of the late Cathie (Eggleston) Chalas, devoted son of George and Diana Chalapatas, both deceased, and brother of the late James Chalas. He is survived by his son Gary Chalas of Plymouth, daughter Annette Chalas of Maynard, son Mark Chalas and wife Kathy of Plymouth, brother John of Winchester and sister Effie DeBenedetto of Melrose. He also leaves his granddaughter Laura Vincent and her husband Scott, grandchildren Lauren and Jeffrey Chalas, great grandson Sean Vincent, dear friends Kay Papa and Ron Hertz, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Chalas led a very full and exciting life. He was born in Greece and immigrated to the South End of Boston at age 8, where one of his first teachers was Amelia Earhart who helped him learn English. He later attended and graduated from Boston Latin School, where he continued to be actively involved well into his retirement, serving on the Board of Trustees and establishing a scholarship. In 1982, he was awarded the prestigious Lee J. Dunn Award. Mr. Chalas was also a graduate of Boston University. Mr. Chalas' adult life would revolve around family, friends, and worldwide travel. After serving in World War II with the 47th Bombardment Group in Africa and Europe and receiving the Distinguished Unit Badge, he began work at Pan American Airlines. He later established his own travel agency, Rainbow Travel in Belmont and toured extensively with groups all over the world. In 1985, he organized a memorable trip to China which was the subject of a 3 1/2 hour television special on WCVB's Chronicle, with his dear friend Mary Richardson. Mr. Chalas was also a long-time member of the American Society of Travel Agents and served as its president. He continued to work in the travel industry until 2006, when he retired at the age of 88. Throughout the years, Mr. Chalas was also actively involved in planning, organizing, and leading nearly twenty reunions of the World War II 47th Bombardment Group Association in various parts of the country until attending his final reunion in August of 2006. Mr. Chalas lived in Manomet for over 30 years where he enjoyed family, gardening, and fishing with his Boston Whaler in the ocean waters off his neighborhood beach. A private ceremony will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on Friday, August 22nd. Arrangement are being made by the Richard Davis Funeral Homes of Plymouth and Manomet. On-line condolences can be made at www.richarddavisfuner alhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Costa Chalas to Boston Latin School Association, 101 Huntington Ave, Suite 200, Boston, MA 02199, www.bls.org, (617) 450-0004 or Homes for Our Troops, 37 Main St, Taunton, MA 02780, www.homesforourtroops.org, 1-866-787-6677.