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Charles J. Haritos, longtime resident of Marblehead, MA died peacefully Thursday, December 30, 2010 with his family by his side at the Kaplan Family Hospice House. He was the beloved husband of the late Nikki Contos Haritos.

Charlie was born in Peabody, Ma on November 10,1920, the youngest of five children to immigrant parents John and Crysomaly Haritos of Greece. A WW ll Veteran, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942-1945, he was awarded the Purple Heart during the Marine landing at Bougainville. In the Spring of 1945, Marine Corps PFC Charles J. Haritos, was stationed at a base in Portsmouth, N.H. recovering from malaria and injuries suffered in the South Pacific. He was part of the mission in May 1945, which boarded a captured Nazi supply submarine, U-234 off the coast of Portsmouth as the war against Germany came to an end.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Marine Corp. he became a Marblehead Reserve Police Officer in 1948 and met his beloved bride of 55 years, Nikki. Charlie joined the sales ranks of Whitehall Company LTD. as a purveyor of fine wines and sprits in Massachusetts and quickly became their leading sales talent. During his 40 year tenure with Whitehall, Charlie was honored on numerous occasions as the company's "Man of the Year". He was inducted to the "Canadian Club Society", Ontario, Canada at a New York City ceremony in 1990. He received the Boston Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Salesperson Award in 1955 for "outstanding selling activities and exceptional customer service. Over Many decades bar and restaurant patrons on the Northshore became accustomed to seeing his smile and hearing the phrase "this one's on Charlie".

He was a member of St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church; the Marblehead V.F.W. Post 2005 and Market Square Association. Charlie was an avid golfer and enjoyed many years of membership at Haverhill Country Club and Wenham Country Club.

In addition to his wife Nikki, Mr. Haritos is predeceased by his siblings Gregory Haritos of Marblehead; George Haritos of Palmer Alaska; Ann Prescott and Mary Stacey of Marblehead.

He was the devoted father of Joan Leslee Marden and her husband Edward, Lisa Haritos Calmus and her husband Mark Bennett with whom Charlie resided with the past 8 years, and his loving son, Nicholas Charles Haritos. His greatest love was spending time with his adored grandchildren; Zachary Calmus, Christopher Marden, Charlie Haritos, Niko Haritos, Dominic Haritos and Ava Haritos. He is also survived by many dear nieces and nephews.

Arrangements: A Funeral service will be offered Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011 at 11:00 AM in the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal Street, (cor of North St) Salem. Burial will follow at Waterside Cemetery, in Marblehead.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Marblehead V.F.W. Post 2005 Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 314, Marblehead, MA 01945. For online guest book or additional information, please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.