Christopher Collias

Christopher was born the third child to Greek immigrants, Nicholas and Stella, in 1929. After the untimely death of his father in 1937, he became the "man of the family" at age seven - helping his mother and younger sister - Eunice.  A child of the depression, Christopher used his toughness and street smarts - gaining employment ranging from shining shoes to doing work on the top of telephone poles for the phone company. 

After a few years of attending Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana - Christopher retuned home and served stateside during the Korean War.  As he used to say, he basically was  "Radar O'Reilly from MASH..." Stationed first in Kansas but later in Chicago so he can continue to care for his mother and sister, Christopher eventionally was discharged honorably so he could be with his family - helping out at his older sister's restuarant and another sibling's grocery store. 

He went to Chicago Teacher's College - now Chicago State University - and earned his State Certificate in Secondary Business Education.  From there - he went on to do his student teaching at Chicago Vocational High School - at a time when Dick Butkis was the "King of CVS..."  Later, he spent some time at Harrison High School before landing at Chicago's Gage Park High School for the rest of his career - teaching business and typing and serving as one of the school's jobs coordinators.

Later, he met the "love of his life" - Judith Ostberg.  Judith and Christopher were married a  little over a year after they met...  Together they had two children - Christopher, Jr. and Jennifer. 

His life took a sudden turn, however, when his legs collapsed from under him on an icy Christmas Eve night in 1975 - after years of going from doctor to doctor to find the source of this weakness - doctors told Christopher he had Multiple Sclerosis - a cursed condition that weakens the body over time.  It did! After thiry-four years of fighting this disease, MS contributed to his death at age 80 - making him too weak to fight pneumonia on July 17, 2009. 

Through the years of battling MS - he continued to teach, and be there for his wife and children.  He was always caring about eveyone but himself and because of the many acts of selflessness - he will continue to be loved and missed by countless number of people.


Born: Jun 06, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois

Died: Jul 17, 2009 in Oak Lawn, Illinois

About: Korean Vet, Teacher - Chicago Public Schools, Alumni - Chicago Teachers College, Alumni - Touhy High School, Member - Greek Church of God - Belmont Avenue

Obituary

Christopher N. Collias, age 80, Veteran of the Korean War, US Army. Beloved husband of Judy (nee Ostberg); loving father of Christopher Jr. and Jennifer (James, Sgt.CPD) Ballauer; proud grandfather of Abigail; fond brother to Eunice (late Bernard) Maze, late JoAnn (late Peter George) Kotselas and the late Catherine (John) Janis; dear uncle to many nieces and nephews and cherished friend to many. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, National Hdqrts., 6350 N. Andrews, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309-2130. Funeral Tuesday 12 Noon at the First Church of God, 4600 W. 111th St. where family and friends will gather. Visitation 10 a.m. until time of services. All arrangements and services provided with dignity by John J. Minich, Funeral Director 773-582-6294.