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Fotios “Frank” G. Collaros

June 27, 1934 - September 12, 2020

visitation

Visitation
Geisen Funeral Homes - Merrillville
7905 Broadway
Merrillville, IN 46410
Thursday 9/17, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

service

Service
Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral
8000 Madison St.
Merrillville, IN 46410
Friday 9/18, 10:00 am

cemetery

Cemetery
Ridgelawn Cemetery
4401 W. Ridge Road
Gary, IN 46408
Friday 9/18

memorial

Memorial

Fotios “Frank” G. Collaros, age 86, of Merrillville, IN , passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2020.

Fotios is survived by his wife of 59 years: Maria; 2 sons: Constantine (Sophia) and Apostolos (Stacey); 3 grandchildren: Erini, Zachary and Foti; and many cousins and friends. Fotios was preceded in death by his parents: Constantine and Lamprini.

Fotios was born in Ikaria, Greece and came to the United States when he was 16 years old. He was a 1953 graduate of Emerson High School and a 1957 graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering. In 1967 he obtained his Professional Engineering License in the State of Indiana and worked for Inland Steel, which became Arcelor-Mittal Steel, where he retired in 1996 after 40 years of service. He served in the Army Reserves for 8 years and was a member of Pan-Icarian Brotherhood and AHEPA. Fotios was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Family was his life and he loved being surrounded by his family.

Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at Geisen Funeral & Cremation Services, 7905 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a Trisagion Service at 5:00 PM.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 18, 2020 at Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 8000 Madison St., Merrillville, IN at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Gary, IN.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, social distancing at 6 feet and face masks will be required.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Fotios name to: Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral Helping Hand Fund or Pan-Icarian Foundation.

Visit Fotios’s online guestbook at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com  219-663-2500.

 

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Visitation
Geisen Funeral Homes - Merrillville
7905 Broadway
Merrillville, IN 46410
Map
Thursday 9/17, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Service
Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral
8000 Madison St.
Merrillville, IN 46410
Map
Friday 9/18, 10:00 am
Cemetery
Ridgelawn Cemetery
4401 W. Ridge Road
Gary, IN 46408
Map
Friday 9/18
Memorial

Fotios “Frank” G. Collaros, age 86, of Merrillville, IN , passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Fotios is survived by his wife of 59 years: Maria; 2 sons: Constantine (Sophia) and Apostolos (Stacey); 3 grandchildren: Erini, Zachary and Foti; and many cousins and friends. Fotios was preceded in death by his parents: Constantine andContinue Reading

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Tryfon & Deborah Ploutis left a message on September 22, 2020:
Our sympathy to Maria,children,grandchildren on the loss of their Beloved Love one.all of Chrysostomos is saddened today
Kenneth Keller left a message on September 18, 2020:
It was my privilege to work with Frank on several projects over the years at Inland Steel Company. I am Sorry to hear of his passing. Ken Keller - ENGINEERING and CONSTRUCTION
Joni Pamphilis left a message on September 16, 2020:
Zoi se sas! I am so sorry to here the sad news. Our fathers and my uncle were such great companions, now they will meet again.
Dean Sangalis left a message on September 15, 2020:
Maria & Family- Very sorry to read of the passing of Foti/Frank. He was a wonderful person and friend. May your faith, family, friends and memories give you comfort, strength and peace now and in the years to come. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Dean Sangalis
jim mantakounis left a message on September 15, 2020:
Our condolences to the Collaros family on the passing of Foti. I have many fond memories of Foti, as I was growing up on the east side of Gary. He always had an easy going manner with a smile on his face, and a fierce devotion to his Chevys and Inland Steel. I was a freshman in high school when Foti, a fellow Emersonian, took me to my first college football game at South Bend, to see Purdue play Notre Dame. It was an exciting game, but unfortunately Purdue lost. I will always remember Foti as a devoted father, husband, and with a big heart full of kindness. Caring thought are with you. Jim and Jan Mantakounis
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Leo G. Manta and Sophia left a message on September 15, 2020:
Our heartfelt condolences on Foti's passing to our dear Collaros cousins. My sisters and I have such fond memories of celebrating his namesday with all my Dad's cousins in attendance. Foti always had a smile for you, regardless of who you were. Always managed to cheer you up with that smile in his voice. We will miss him, but find comfort that now he's with my folks and his, looking down on us, with a smile and a wink, to tell us they're all ok.
John & Sophia Facaros left a message on September 15, 2020:
Cousin Foti was a brilliant, humorous , and loving Father, Husband, Son and a best friend to so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. May his memory be eternal.
Luke, Stella, Lynn, and Chris Zeheralis left a message on September 15, 2020:
Dear Collaros Family: We all were so sorry to hear of Frank's passing. To Paul, Stacy, Costa, and Sophia, you lost a wonderful father who left you a lifetime of happy memories. To Erini, Foti, and Zach, your grandfather left you with a childhood of exceptional memories that only a grandfather can provide. He was one of the great ones. May his memory be eternal
Kosta and Carol Hardaloupas left a message on September 14, 2020:
Where does one begin to talk about Foti as those of us who knew him have so many memories. Living in Detroit, his first question to me was, "How's GM doing?" He was a part of my childhood and adulthood. Foti let me ride with him and his family to the 1978 Ikarian Convention in Detroit where I met Kosta, my husband. Foti's love and devotion to Maria, Kosta, Apostoli, and their families were paramount in his life. He was a true friend and always there at the best of moments and at trying times. As for me, my memories of Foti bring a smile or laughter and this is how I will always remember him. Παντα θα σε εχουμε στην μνημη μας, ΚΑΛΟ ΤΑΞΙΔΙ.
Toula Karnavas left a message on September 14, 2020:
I have so many memories growing up just two blocks away from Foti and his family in Gary. He was also a great friend to my dad, John Mantakounis, and the bond between them was unassailable. My dad will be one of the first to greet him in heaven.
Geisen Funeral Home left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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