Christos "Chris" Zoulamis, beloved husband, father, grandfather, entrepreneur, and community member, passed away at the age of 88.

Chris was born on July 19, 1938, in Kozani, Greece. His early childhood was shaped by the hardships of World War II, which reached Greece in 1940. He was raised by his mother and her family until the age of eight, when he immigrated to the United States and settled in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he met his father for the very first time.

Even as a young boy, Chris displayed the entrepreneurial spirit that would define much of his life. One of his earliest ventures was operating a shoe-shine business. When his shoe-shine kit was stolen, he was so upset that he developed shingles. It was an early sign of the passion, determination, and work ethic that remained with him throughout his life.

Chris developed a lifelong love of sports, especially baseball, and was a devoted Boston Red Sox fan. During high school, he served as Class President while also working at a local grocery store and in his father's restaurant during the summers.

After graduating from high school, Chris attended the University of Connecticut before earning his degree in Economics from the University of Bridgeport. During his college years, he proudly served in the Air National Guard and received an honorable discharge in 1969.

Chris began his professional career with the ABC Television Network in New York City. During the 1960s, he held several positions within the network's station relations and clearance departments, including Daytime Clearance Account Representative, Supervisor of Special Services, and Station Relations Executive. His work focused on coordinating programming with affiliate stations across the country and strengthening relationships between ABC and its regional television partners.

Following his tenure at ABC, Chris transitioned into sports broadcasting, serving as Executive Vice President of Station Relations for the TVS Television Network. Working alongside sports broadcasting pioneer Eddie Einhorn, he played a significant role in syndicating regional college basketball games to television stations nationwide, helping lay the groundwork for the widespread television coverage of college basketball enjoyed today.

In 1962, Chris met the love of his life, Niki, at the wedding of his best friend, where he served as Best Man. They married in 1963 and shared more than six decades of love, partnership, and family. Together they raised four children: Dean, Laura, Greg, and Chrissy.

In 1979, Chris and his family left New York and settled in Maine, where he embarked on a new chapter as an entrepreneur. He opened Ski Togs Factory Outlet and later established Brunswick House of Pizza, a restaurant known for its authentic Greek-style pizza and warm hospitality.

Chris's entrepreneurial vision continued with the creation of The Kitchen, which he opened and operated alongside his wife, Niki, and sons, Dean and Greg. The Kitchen became a beloved local gathering place and eventually evolved into Papou's Kitchen in Westbrook, Maine. Under Chris and Niki's leadership, the business grew from a local restaurant into a successful wholesale manufacturer and distributor of natural, gluten-free falafel. Papou's Kitchen products eventually reached the shelves of major retailers, including Whole Foods Market, Hannaford Supermarkets, natural food stores throughout New England, and numerous college campuses.

Nothing made Chris prouder than seeing the family business continue through three generations. Working alongside his son Dean and grandson Elias brought him immense joy and satisfaction. His passion for his work never faded, and he remained actively involved in the business until the age of 87.

Above all else, Chris was devoted to his family. He was a loving grandfather to eight grandchildren—Elias, Isadora, Lorelei, Alexander, Theo, Logan, Makaria, and Calla—each of whom held a special place in his heart. He loved his sons-in-law, Charlie and Jason, and his daughter-in-law, Kelsea, as if they were his own children.

Chris found happiness in life's simple pleasures with a calm, steady, and easygoing spirit: cheering on his favorite teams, following college basketball, spending time with family—especially hosting Fourth of July celebrations in Maine—enjoying his favorite foods, including Reubens, ribs, fresh fruit, and ice cream, tending to his vegetable garden, and finding four-leaf clovers, a talent for which he became well known. He lived a life defined by hard work, perseverance, generosity, and deep love for those around him.

His legacy lives on through the family he cherished, the businesses he built, and the countless lives he touched throughout his extraordinary journey from Greece to the communities he proudly called home.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Portland, Maine, on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.