Granby Obituary: Christos Dantos, 57

Christos Evangelos Dantos, 57, of Granby, beloved husband of Christine Dantos, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2016 surrounded by his family.

Born in Tacoma, Washington on December 18, 1958, the son of Erma Dantos of Annapolis, Maryland and the late Colonel Evangelos Dantos. Chris grew up on and around Army bases in Germany, Washington, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland and finally, Greece. Chris graduated from Arundel High School in Maryland in 1976 and continued his education at Villanova University earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at Villanova he met his lifelong best friends. His circle of friends enlarged as he settled in Granby. A dedicated and loyal friend, he was passionate about the people in his life.

Chris later earned his MBA from the University of Hartford in 1989. Chris worked at UTC Aerospace for 36 years and held a number of leadership positions including managing the portfolio of Space and Defense programs, as well as the aerospace ground support equipment business. In 2001, Chris was awarded NASA's Public Service Medal, the agency's highest honor given to a non-federal employee. Chris headed a team of experts working tirelessly to resolve a critical issue to NASA. He led by example, letting his own personal standards of excellence, ethics and qualities to set the bar and he was highly regarded by all who had the opportunity of working with him.

Chris always maintained a close connection with Villanova University, continuing his acts of service and volunteering to give back to the community. He was honored by Villanova for meritorious service and professional achievement.

Chris and Christine just celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary with their son, Evan Dantos, and daughter, Stephanie Dantos. He dedicated his life to his family. He showed them the world with their travels and he enjoyed volunteering his time coaching Little League and recreation basketball for many years. He spent his leisure time fishing and kayaking on the Farmington River with his best pal, Cozmo.

Chris never missed a Villanova basketball game and was proud to see his Wildcats win the NCAA championship this year, with his daughter, now also an alumni, present at the game. Chris could fix anything. He took pride in the fact that he could repair everything from cars to appliances to rigging some engineering masterpiece to solve the problem. What he loved most was spending time with his family and his friends who will miss him forever.

Besides Christine, Evan, Stephanie and his mother, Erma, he leaves a sister Maria Dantos of Allentown Pennsylvania, a brother Andrew Dantos of Huntingtown, Maryland and his wife Wanda; two nephews A.J. Dantos and Michael Rachman and a niece Lena Rachman. He also leaves his dear friends Chuck and Ann Marie Reuter also of Granby. We are forever grateful for the sacrifices and love of Chuck and Ann Marie, which transcend the bonds of friendship.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 6, 5-8 p.m., with a Trisagio service at 6 p.m., at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Rd., Avon. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 7, 9:30 a.m., at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 433 Fairfield Avenue, Hartford. Burial will be at Granby Cemetery.

To honor his desire to pay it forward, the family has requested that charitable contributions be made in Chris' name. Please contribute to the charity of your choice that would most honor his memory.