Evangelos "Angelo" D. Rassias

HOLDEN - Evangelos “Angelo” Dionysios Rassias, 85, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 4th surrounded by his loving family. Angelo was born on January 3rd, 1937 on the Island of Kefalonia, Greece, and was the second son of five children to the late Dionysios and Eftihia (Provolisianou) Rassias.

Angelo is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Carolyn M. (Boisvert) Rassias, and is the proud father of his three sons: Timothy A. Rassias and his wife Dina of Holden, Michael A. Rassias and his wife Timalyn of Littleton, and Christopher A. Rassias and his wife Misook of Quincy. He leaves 7 grandchildren; Nicholas and his fiancé Jocelyn Twine, Angelo, Talia and Victoria of Holden, and Samantha, Alexandra, and Lucas of Littleton. His siblings, Niki (Rassias) Buterbaugh of West Roxbury and Nikitas D. Rassias with his wife, Helen of Exton, PA., and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his brother, the Very Reverend Gerasimos D. Rassias, and his wife, Georgia of Wilmington DE, his sister, Ekaterina (Rassias) Norris and her husband William, of Worcester, and his brother-in-law, Jon Buterbaugh of Worcester.

Angelo grew up in the town of Agia Irini, Kefalonia Greece, an Ionian Island. After being liberated from German occupation during WWII, the island suffered a massive earthquake that left thousands dead and many others injured, fatalities included his grandfather and his mother.

At age 17, he immigrated to the U.S. under the Marshall plan going through Ellis Island with nothing more than $10 in his pocket. Working in his uncle Pete’s restaurant in Astoria Queens NY, he started his career in the culinary arts. In 1957 Angelo decided to move to Worcester MA, to be closer to his older brother Jerry, who was attending Holy Cross Seminary School, Brookline. After their mother’s death, he helped bring his father and siblings to the United States. It was after this time while working as chef at State Mutual Life Insurance Company, he met his beloved wife, Carolyn. Soon they married and started their loving family, all of whom he was so proud.

During his career as a chef, he opened the Norwich Restaurant and Catering; was head chef at the Maridor Restaurant, Framingham; was executive chef at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Warwick, RI; was executive chef at Pleasant Valley CC during the ’70s under Cosmo “Cuz” Mingola, where he catered some of the largest venues of that time with the PGA, catering to high profile athletes and politicians; and helped create the Atrium Restaurant in Worcester, where he was the owner of ATRIUM II catering. He was skilled at creating sophisticated buffets, novel ice carvings, banquet decorating with high-end arrangements, and many times, served thousands of people per week. He went on to help start many restaurants in the Massachusetts area always willing to help design an efficient kitchen, set up a menu, cater a function, or share his recipes.

He was a Boston sports fan, going to many games and venues with his boys and celebrated many Boston Championships. Angelo loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and taught his boys how to live off the land.

Although he worked in many different settings throughout his life, his favorite place to apply his trade was at family functions, holiday parties and anywhere he could enjoy his family with his food and drink. You never walked into his home without sharing a meal.

Later in his life, he enjoyed spending time with his wife Carolyn at Old Orchard Beach, ME, the Outer Banks, NC, and couldn’t wait to go to Cape Cod to relax, while fishing with his boys and their families. He adored his loving wife, their sons, his daughters-in-law, and his grandchildren who all adored him in turn, and they all cherished their many times together.

Loved by many, his kindness and selflessness were paramount in his life. Above all he was known by so many for his remarkable ability to make everyone around him feel special. Angelo always went out of his way to help anyone in need.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Angelo’s family from 3 to 6 pm on Sunday, March 13th at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St, Holden. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, March 14th at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell St, Worcester, with the Rev. Fr. Christopher Stamos and the Rev. Fr. Dimitrios Moratis officiating. Burial will follow at Hope Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations in Angelo’s name can be made to St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russel Street, Worcester, MA 01609, the Cardiology Department, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01605 or the American Heart Assoc., 300 5th Avenue, Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451-8750.

MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL!

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