Kyriakos "Charlie" Kambanellos

February 26, 1939 - January 29, 2025

Kyriakos "Charlie" Kambanellos, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, after a courageous battle with illness. Known for his warm spirit and vibrant personality, Charlie was the life of every gathering and deeply cherished by all who knew him.

Charlie is survived by his devoted wife of 41 years, Aglaia "Litsa" Kambanellos; his son, Stefanos Kambanellos; daughter-in-law, Carissa; and the light of his life, his granddaughter, Catherine.

Born in Piraeus, Greece, in 1939, Charlie proudly served in the Greek military before embarking on a journey across the world as a merchant ship crew member, working in maintenance and as a cook. In the early 1970s, he moved to Montreal, Canada, where he balanced two jobsdelivering fresh milk by day and cooking at a local hospital by night. By the mid-1970s, he settled in Northern Virginia, where he pursued his passion for the restaurant business. In 1987, he opened his first restaurant, Charlie's Family Restaurant, in Orange, VA, followed by Charlie's Main Street Café in Culpeper, VA, in 1997. Charlie dedicated decades to serving his community before retiring in January 2024 due to health reasons. Following his retirement, he moved to Knoxville, TN, to be closer to his granddaughter.

Charlie's larger-than-life personality, love for singing, and warm hospitality made him a cherished figure in every community he touched. He had a special way of making people feel welcome, and his customers adored him just as much as he adored them. In addition to being a successful restaurateur, he was also a passionate real estate investor. Charlie deeply loved America and was a proud naturalized citizen for over 40 years.

His kindness, laughter, and unwavering love for his family and friends will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

The funeral was Monday, February 3, at 1:30 p.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. Family and friends then went to Highland Memorial Cemetery for the interment. Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Culpeper StarExponent on Feb. 4, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Kyriakos Kambanellos

Sponsored by Rose Funeral & Cremation - Mann.

25 Entries

Sean Gregg

August 30, 2025

Charlie and Litza were among my favorite people in Orange and Culpeper. He spoke many languages, and he served more complimentary breakfasts to people in need than I could even guess. He and Litza served breakfast, lunch, and compassion every day their restaurant was open.

Mary Hoffherr

February 21, 2025

We miss the great companionship (and singing) at his restaurant in Culpeper.
Glen and Mary Hoffherr

clysta c walters

February 14, 2025

Charlie had a way of making everyone smile. Loved going to the restaurant in orange and seeing him and his wife. He will be missed. Prayers for the family.

Jim & Alice Schorr

February 13, 2025

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Frank and Judy Whorton

February 10, 2025

We loved Charlie and Litza and ate breakfast at their cafe often! He was a hoot and will missed greatly! Love and prayers for family! Frank and Judy Whorton

Jay Haines

February 6, 2025

I am saddened to hear about Charlie's passing, Charlie was a terrific person, My late mother and I always looked forward to having breakfast at Charlie and Litsas, My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.

David Hardy

February 6, 2025

Rest In Peace Charlie... Many memories!!!! The Hardy/Coleman Family

Daniel, Debbie, Danielle, Taylor

February 6, 2025

Rest in peace my friend. Many thanks for wonderful conversations and breakfasts over the years. Much love to Litsa and family. Just know we will always love you here in Culpeper.

Steve Jenkins

February 6, 2025

Charlie was so kind. He´s Diner in town of Culpeper was fantastic. He and he´s wife Alisa, worked hard there and made some great breakfast foods for many years. My entire family have enjoyed Charlie´s grave and biscuits and simply visiting with Charlie. He was so proud of he´s family and often spoke of trips he made to Tennessee, he really enjoyed.
God Bless you Charlie rest in peace.

ELENA MARIE ABBENE-GALLAGHER

February 5, 2025

My dad and I use to go to there little restaurant all the time. We had such great memories
I have a photo of us three marked the crazy bunch. My condolences to litsa and her son and family.

Chris and Sarlta Bizjak

February 5, 2025

We´ll see you again my friend. Praying for Litsa and the rest of the family. You two made our day when we stopped by for breakfast. Such a cute couple!

Kim

February 5, 2025

I have missed him since he moved away. I loved his singing and laughter and his breakfasts made with love.

Tracy Craighead

February 5, 2025

I want to express my heartfelt condolences to Charlie and his family during this incredibly difficult time. He was truly one of a kind, and his wonderful sense of humor brought joy to everyone around him. My family and I will deeply miss him, along with his amazing Greek omelet. Rest in peace, Charlie. You will always be loved and remembered.

Chasity & Rick

February 5, 2025

My heart is broken! I´ve known them my whole life literally!!! I will cherish every memory I have with Charlie and litza!!! Coming to the restaurant and eating breakfast every morning and then helping them order whatever they needed for the restaurant to every conversation we have ever had to Charlie singing for us they was more family to me then most of my blood family!!! My heart hurts so bad!!! Rip Pops!!!! Litza I love you and miss you so much Mom!!!!

DeeDee Alexander Yates

February 5, 2025

Condolences and prayers to family and friends. I will always remember Mr Charlie for his kindness, great food, jokes, and warm spirit...rip

Diana Reynolds Gilmore

February 5, 2025

I am devastated to hear of Charlie passing.
I worked for Charlie when he had his restaurant in Orange. Charlie and Lista treated me as a daughter . Charlie taught me so much about restaurant business and his kindness, compassion,genuine love, and his witty personality will never be forgotten . Sending my love to the family

Jeanne Nixon

February 5, 2025

My love & prayers are with you and your dear family, Litsa! My heart is broken with yours. I love you & Charlie, and I thank you for all of the sweet memories at your diner.You were such an amazing wife and best friend to your Charlie. I´m hugging you invisibly now and holding you in my heart and prayers.

Shannon Jackson

February 5, 2025

Sorry for your loss Prayers Family

Tommy fincham

February 4, 2025

My heart is broken over the lossof my dear friend Charlie I will cherish our friendship we had and I will miss you.. and my deepest sympathy goes out Litsa and family...

Tammy Hartman Jenkins

February 4, 2025

Family is what Charlie was and Lista! I'm so saddened to hear of his passing. This is so very hard. He was a great human being! The best chef, friend, and storyteller ever. Tell jokes..would sing!.. he was so loved! Made you always feel welcome to everyone! My daughter was 10 when we started going to the cafe. The year he opened. That was 28 years ago. They watched her grow up and then my grandchildren which they so adored. Who are now almost 16 & 18. We all are heartbroken but we were blessed to have known Charlie. My mom, my husband, my aunt Ruby, we all adored him and Lista. I want their son to know that he was truly blessed to have had a father special as Charlie and a mother like Lista! Very special couple. Please hold to your mom tight. She will need you now!! Thoughts and prayers to the family, especially the grandchild I always heard about. He was so proud. Charlie you will always be 5 star ! Lista we love you very much! Always remember. Charlie will always be with you. With us all. Everytime I pass by the cafe, I think of you both! Cherished memories.

Heather jones

February 4, 2025

Me and my boys all love Charlie and Lisa and love to eat Charlie's food to I sure wish I was still cooking here no one made food like u did no one nick and will miss u and loved u

Debbie Peters

February 4, 2025

My sincere condolences to Lista and the family.
I always felt welcome whenever we ate at Charlie's.
In my eyes he was a legend of Culpeper.
He made the best gyro in town.
Fly high Charlie. You will always be remembered.

Tim Chilton

February 4, 2025

What a great man! He was a staple in Culpeper for many years. My sons and I ate in the restaurant from the time they were little boys until they were in their 20s. Rest easy Charlie

Brittany Grigsby

February 4, 2025

Charlie was an amazing man, our family adored him and Litsa! He had a beautiful voice and ability to make everyone feel like family. They both told neck after some years " " and I´ll never forget the love they made me feel. My deepest condolences to the entire family.

Kerry and Brittany Grigsby

February 4, 2025

This man was one of the heart beats of Culpeper, Va. My grandfather had loved to eat breakfast and this was one of his hangouts before he past away at 64. I later moved to Culpeper with my family and I would go there with my family and co workers at the time. Charlie and his wife made every person feel like family while telling us about his family and what they were up to. Prayers to the family and thank you guys for sharing him with us at Culpeper.

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