Chris was born on the island of Poros where the family would migrate every September to get away from the cold winters of their village home in Valtetsi, Greece. He was the third child born on October 19, 1936 to Panayiotis and Panayiota Sarantopoulos. Chris had an older brother and sister, Christos and Theodora, and younger sisters, Jannie and Vickie. Toto, as he was nicknamed, was a mischievous young boy, who along with Christos, always got into trouble.

In 1944, after the Germans had occupied their land, the communists entered their small village and took Chris' mother and other villagers as hostages to a city far away. Sadly, under the communists, his mother became very ill and passed away, leaving her husband and five children behind, the youngest was 6 months old. They had demolished the village by setting fires, Chris and his family lost their home. Chris' father had no choice but to move the family to Tripolis, and in 1949 built them a home. After being widowed for 5 years, Chris' father met a woman to share his life and children with, Georgia. Chris' second mother cared for all the Sarantopoulos children as if they were her own. Then in 1951,the family welcomed a new addition, a son named Vangelis.

As a young adult, Chris was a very hard worker, working in small local shops in the city. He would come home from his job and play with his brother, running around the house with Vangelis on his shoulders, and then giving him rides on his bike around the school grounds. His older brother Christos, was away starting his career in the Greek Air Force. His sisters were helping with the family home. While working, Chris studied how to read and write the English language in hopes that it would help him in the future. Slowly, slowly, things started changing. Theodora, his older sister had the opportunity to migrate and work in Canada. Her boss petitioned Chris to make that journey to Toronto as well, to start a better life. On December 4, the feast day of St. Barbara, Chris boarded a ship on his way to Canada, he was 18 years old. Once there, he began working at a bowling alley, as a pin setter. Soon after that, he was a dishwasher at Morry's Restaurant where he quickly became a manager as his boss could see that he had a lot of potential, he was committed and efficient. Chris thought of his family back home, often sending money to help them, he knew he had to bring his younger sisters to join him in Toronto, too. His sister Jannie eventually made her way into Canada. Three of the siblings were together again.

Toronto was not the last stop for Chris and his sisters. With the help of his uncle, Theo Alevizos, Theodora, Chris and Jannie eventually came to California. One by one, they made the move out west. His youngest sister, Vickie made it to California as well. Now, four of the six siblings were together.

Chris settled in Long Beach where his family was living. His family was expanding as he now had brothers and sisters in laws, nieces and nephews. In 1964, he was visiting his sister when he coincidentally met Antonia Dovolou, who happened to be visiting her aunt that lived next door. They were both at the right place at the right time. They were married on February 21, 1965, and spent 55 beautiful years together. Chris continued working in the restaurant business. He worked for Tom Harbilas, who was their koumbaro, in Montebello, learning and improving his knowledge in the industry. Together they opened Tom and Chris' in San Gabriel on New Avenue and Valley Blvd.

In 1967, Chris and Antonia welcomed their first daughter, Patricia. In 1971, his second daughter Dimitra was born. Chris was a very doting father and husband. He loved his family, and was an excellent family man while striving as a business owner.

In 1977, he closed Tom and Chris' and opened a new fast food establishment in a new location named Chris' Burgers in San Gabriel on Valley Blvd. and Prospect. He worked from open to close everyday. He became well known in the community, everyone knew Chris. He had the best sense of humor, when people would ask him what his name was he would reply "Chrysostomos Sarantopoulos". Then they'd ask, "Where are you from?" And with his thick Greek accent he would answer back, "Downtown China!"

Chris was a very religious man who was very involved in church, he would know all the words to the liturgy and hymns, he had naturally memorized all the feast days on the calendar. Chris and Antonia were members of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Long Beach, where they were married and baptized their daughters. They later became members at St. Anthony's in Pasadena when they moved to Alhambra. Chris retired from the restaurant business in 1989, he closed Chris' Burgers and moved the family to Anaheim Hills in 1991 where they attended St. John the Baptist Church in Anaheim. Chris was also very involved in AHEPA. He enjoyed playing in the bowling league and he loved volunteering in the Loukoumades booth for St. Anthony's and St. John's festivals. In 2017, AHEPA honored him witha Life Member Award, for serving over 50 years.He very much enjoyed his retirement years. He visited his homeland after almost 27 years from the last time he went to visit Greece. Chris and Antonia were members of the Golden Stars,often taking road trips to monasteries and casinos. He was a big fan of the black jack table and always had to dine at the buffet.

He was a very simple man who loved to be around family and friends. He loved to dance and sing. He would be the first person on the dance floor and one of the last guests to leave an event. His big smile was infectious and everyone around him loved to be with him. He will greatly be missed by allwho knew and loved him.

Chris is survived by his wife, Antonia, daughters Patricia and Dimitra, sons-in-law Steven Bangos and Khevin De Vaughn and his 5 grandchildren Tonie, Michael and Christopher Bangos and Richard and Antonia De Vaughn.

Services: Trisagion on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 7:00pm. Funeral on Monday, March 9, 2020 at 11:00am. Both services at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 405 N. Dale Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92801. Interment at Rose Hills Cemetery, 3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier CA 90601.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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