Cristo “Chris” Alvanos Christu, born January 18, 1942, died on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the age of 82.

A lifelong resident of Tarpon Springs, Chris’s parents, Nicholas and Paraskevi, and sister Mary came to Tarpon from Halki, Greece. Chris was the youngest of four siblings, sisters Mary Plakorus, Chrisoula “Goldie” Manos, and Theodora Economos. Chris graduated from Tarpon High School, class of 1962, and joined the United States Airforce as an illustrator and cartographer and was honorably discharged in 1971 at the rank of Airman Basic.

After retiring from the U.S. Airforce Chris pursued a career as a restauranteur and opened two restaurants, Cristo’s Pizza, and Sponger’s Galley, at the sponge docks where Agora Food Market is now located. Sponger’s Galley was where he met his wife of 41 years, Eva. They were married in 1983.

After closing the restaurant, Chris worked in food service for the Pinellas County Public School System. He spent many years at Sunset Hills Elementary in the cafeteria, making daily meals for the students. He leaves behind the county-wide legacy of Cristo’s Pizza every Friday.

After retiring from his job with the school system, Chris ran many successful small businesses including a catering company helping residents of Tarpon celebrate important occasions with delicious food made with love.

In his free time, Chris loved to create works of art. His home is filled with furniture pieces, paintings, drawings, and other imaginative works he made himself. With a passion for knowledge and a pursuit of the unknown, Chris took a great interest in history, anthropology, archeology, and astronomy. He loved sharing everything he learned with his family.

Chris is loved by everyone he ever met. He approached everyone with kindness, generosity, and humility and was sure to make you laugh with a joke or a silly story. Chris was quick to make sure that others knew they were loved and that’s why he was beloved by so many.

Chris is survived by his wife, Eva Christu (nee Demetroulakos), his children, Nick Christu and Patrice Christu (Katie Gorum), his grandchildren, Christopher Luke Christu and Elia Christu, his sister, Chrisoula “Goldie” Manos, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Nicholas Demetroulakos (Diane Demetroulakos) and Maria Boucher, his canine children Doc and Pepper, and many nieces and nephews all over the country.

He is predeceased by his parents Nicolas and Paraskevi Christou, his sisters Theodora Economos and Mary Plakorus, and his beloved Koukla.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 12:00 pm (ET) and the burial will take place afterward at Cycadia Cemetery with the makaria at Mama’s Greek Cuisine at 735 Dodecanese Blvd – located within the Sponge Exchange.

For more information about the funeral arrangements please contact Dobie’s Funeral Home at 727-942-0515.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for you to make a donation to the Jacobson Culinary Arts Academy at jcaachefs.com/donate.