Chris G. Moustakis

Devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Chris G. Moustakis, 99, of Cedar Grove, NJ, peacefully passed away on June 16, 2023, with his wife of 71 years by his side.
Chris was born February 15,1924 in Saugerties, NY, and raised in Newburgh, NY by Greek immigrant parents. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific in the Navy and the U.S. Marines through 1945 as a U.S. Navy Radioman 2nd CL.
When he came back from the war, Chris studied engineering at SUNY Canton, NY, where he met his future wife, Vivian. They married in 1951 and raised their three children in Cedar Grove, NJ, a place that they called home for the last 64 years.
He worked for three companies, spending a majority of his time as a draftsman for ITT, then in his mid-50's, he followed his lifelong dream of opening an ice cream store. Both Chris and Vivian's fathers each owned their own homemade candy and ice cream stores, and it was their dream to eventually open their own. They proudly ran the Magic Fountain Ice Cream store in Bloomfield, NJ for 22 years, where Vivan made the ice cream cakes and Chris made the homemade ice cream.
Chris was a dedicated longtime member of Sts. Nicholas, Constantine and Helen Greek Church, where he served as a lifelong member and past president of AHEPA, past Chairman of the Greek Festival, and dedicated his time to raising money for the AHEPA Bone Marrow Registry.
As a former founder and captain of his tennis team in college, he continued to enjoy the sport through most of his life. He also valued his time traveling with his family and as a Giants season ticket holder for over 50 years, he loved to attend games with his brother and later on with his children and grandchildren.
A few years ago, a friend asked him what he credits for his longevity, and he answered "Just keep smilin'. Keep working. Keep active. Have a good wife. That's number one. You have to have a good wife (or husband). And I've got one. I couldn't do anything without her. There are two very fortunate things that happened in my life. I came back in one piece from the South Pacific, without a scratch, and the other is that I married my wife."
Chris was devoted to his family, he always had a smile on his face, never took life too seriously, and would drop anything to be there for those he loved in times of need. He was genuine, kind, and empathetic toward others and always maintained a boyish charm and wit that was unmatched.
Chris is survived by his wife Vivian, his devoted children, Costa Moustakis, and his wife, Shelby, Annette Opsasnick, and Beth Tichko, and her husband, Dave; cherished grandchildren, Christina, Phillip, Vivian, and her husband, Matt; his siblings, George Moustakis, and wife Linda, Mary Koutsaftes; and his Goddaughter, Elaine Ferguson, and Godson, George Argiris. He is predeceased by his sister, Callie Komondorea, and her husband, Bill, brother-in-law, Charlie Koutsaftes, and son-in-law, Paul Opsasnick.
A viewing will be held from 4:00-7:00pm on Thursday, June 22nd at Shook's Cedar Grove Funeral Home, 486 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove, N.J. The funeral service will be on Friday, June 23rd at 11:00am at Sts. Nicholas, Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 80 Laurel Ave., Roseland. Interment to follow at Restland Memorial Park, East Hanover, N.J. Funeral Services are entrusted to Shook's Cedar Grove Funeral Home, Cedar Grove, NJ, shooksfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Greek School Tuition at Sts. Nicholas, Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church at https://www.greekchurchroseland.org/donations.