HAVERHILL - Evangelos Lazarakis, 68, longtime Haverhill resident, passed away peacefully in his home, on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.

Evangelos was born in Ierax Lakonia, Greece on July 12, 1946, youngest of seven children of Konstantinos and Eugenia Lazarakis. Raised in Greece, he traveled the world working on cruise ships and also served in the Greek Navy.

He immigrated to the United States hoping to help his family in Greece and to make a better life for himself. He came to Haverhill in 1970 and started his own painting business in 1975, Angelo's Painting Co. He married Xanthie (Fikis) Lazarakis in 1976. Together with his wife, Evangelos started a second business in 1980, Cosmos Restaurant, of which they owned for 24 years. Upon retiring, he passed on the painting business to his son. Evangelos worked tirelessly to provide for his family.

Evangelos was a man of great faith, being a devout member of the Holy Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Community. He served as a Member of the Board of Directors and was elected Parish Council President several times. His community honored him in 2003 as the Recipient of Man of the Year Award. Evangelos was also very proud of being bestowed the honor of an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, order of St. Andrew in 2009 in NYC. He dedicated years volunteering his time and skill to the many festivities and activities within the church, including the annual Greek Festival and feeding the underprivileged each month. Most of all, Evangelos couldn't be happier spending time at home with his family and many friends.

His surviving family members in addition to his wife include his beloved children, Eugenia Dimopoulos and husband Bill of Haverhill, Christina Gkoudoulas and husband Stefanos of Haverhill, Constantine Lazarakis of Haverhill, Angela Mitsopoulos and husband Konstantinos of Methuen and Giorgia Lazarakis of Haverhill; grandchildren, Thanasi, Angelo and Ellie Dimopoulos, Stella, Thanasi and Iliana Mitsopoulos, and seventh grandchild due in February; siblings, Ioanna Houvarda, Stelios Lazarakis and wife Katerina and Panayiotis Lazarakis and wife Athanasia all of Greece; several nieces and nephews; many brother and sister in-laws; brother of the late, Ioannis Lazarakis, Giorgos Lazarakis and Katerina Volos.

His Funeral will be held Monday morning, November 24, beginning in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 So. Main Street, Bradford at 10:00 AM. Funeral Service in the Holy Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 154-156 Winter Street, Haverhill at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Mill Street, Haverhill.

Calling hours will be Sunday in the funeral home from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

Courtesy local transportation to the visitation will be provided on request by calling Patrick Driscoll at (978) 374-0000.

Contributions may be made in Evangelos memory to the Holy Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, Renovation Committee, 154-156 Winter Street, Haverhill, MA 01830.