Adam Arakas

ARAKAS - Adam, of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away on January 2, 2012. Born on January 5, 1918 in New York City to the late Pantelis Arakas and Hariklia Faraclas Arakas, he raised his family in Hicksville, Long Island, New York. Adam was preceded in death by his wife Jennie Arakas and sister Helen Faraclas. Adam served in the U.S. Army Air Corp as a navigator on B-17's during WW II. Following the war he remained in the Air Force reserve until he retired as a Major. Adam spent his career as a skilled machinist at R. Hoe & Co. and the Sperry Corp. After retiring, Adam and Jennie traveled extensively, and moved to Charlottesville to be near their grandchildren. Adam was a free thinker, following his own ethical compass and instilling a strong sense of values in his children. He was known for his very subtle sense of humor and held strong opinions on almost any subject. He was an avid reader, relishing the use of language by his faorite author, Thomas Wolfe. Adam loved the beaches of Long Island, where he could be seen in gatherings of his friends and swimming among the waves. He is survived by his children, Peter Arakas and his wife Karen Kellerman, and Paulette Schmidt and her husband John; three grandsons, Stephen Schmidt and his wife Jennifer, Bryan Schmidt, and Kevin Schmidt; his sister Anna Rasmussen and her husband Norman and many nieces and nephews. The family will have a private memorial gathering at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to preserve Long Island beaches to the Nature Conservancy, P.O. Box 5125, East Hampton, N.Y. 11937.