Hristos "Chris" Giorgiou Artsitas

Hristos “Chris” Giorgiou Artsitas passed away at his home on February 8 after a long battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was 72.

Chris was born in 1952 to Maria and Giorgos in Korudallos, Peiraias, Greece. After a humble childhood that was punctuated by short stints in movies, Chris moved with his family to Detroit when he was 14.

Chris worked with his father at the General Motors factory while pursuing sports. Ever the athlete, Chris was an avid soccer player and boxer throughout his life.

Chis met his wife Merri Ann on a double date in Honolulu in 1985. After a fun evening, Chris was such a gentleman that he was awarded a second date, sparking a lovely relationship that would go on to span 38 years.

Throughout adulthood, Chris was primarily a small business owner, running a successful chain of produce stores in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. Eventually, Chris made his way up north and opened multiple stores in Sacramento which he ran until he retired in 2018.

In his later years, Chris was a pillar in the Sacramento Greek community, opening up a Greek-themed coffee shop in the Arden area of Sacramento. He would welcome all into his shop and cooked signature Greek dishes all the way to his passing, even when tethered to his oxygen.

Chris is survived by his wife Merri Ann, sons George and Jesse as well as his daughter Malia. In Greece, he also has a brother Alex (father of Mary) and sister Thalia (mother of Yanni and Katerina).

The Celebration of Life for Chris will take place March 23 at 3 pm. Please inquire with the family for details.