Obituary of Christina Chukalas

Christina Chukalas (Missailidis), 87, of Dongan Hills, Staten Island, passed away at Richmond University Medical Center on January 22, 2022. She was the beloved wife of the late James Chukalas (2000); loving Mother to daughter Catherine Haliotis and her husband Ed, and son James Chukalas and his wife Crystal. Beloved Yia Yia to Vanessa Haliotis, Chrysanthe Haliotis, Nicholas Chukalas & Sophia Chukalas. She was preceded in death by her three siblings and is survived by many loving nieces & nephews. Mrs. Chukalas was born and raised in the Bronx, NY and shortly after her marriage to James, relocated to Staten Island, where she raised her family and lived a life of service to others. Her passion was giving back to her community, where she was a Girl Scout Leader for 50 years at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, where she took joy in empowering young ladies with life skills, that they would take to adulthood. She had such a strong bond with her Church, where she served in various ways for countless years. She Continually volunteered at the Holy Trinity annual festival, working at the Loukomades booth, and several of her Girl Scouts, current at the time and even former, would volunteer along with her. She was also the Advisor to the Youth group (G.O.Y.A) at Holy Trinity for upwards of three decades and sang in the Church choir since the age of 13, and only stopped recently due to health issues. She was the dance director of the Holy Trinity Hellenic Dancers for 20 years, even making some the costumes by hand. She embodied the term family matriarch, as her Grandchildren were always a priority. Whether it was baby-sitting Vanessa & Chrysanthe for years, or driving over an hour, each way to her son James’ house in order to spend time with Nicholas & Sophia. She has been recognized by several organizations with various awards for her decades of service to others as well. She will be greatly missed by all that she came in contact; may her memory be eternal. Funeral services will be Monday, 10:00AM, 1/31/22 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1641 Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314. Interment to follow at Moravian Cemetery, 2205 Richmond Rd, Staten Island, NY 10306.