SALEM – Christopher Judson Sakelakos, 45, of Salem passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on September 16th, 2025 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers after a long and valiantly fought battle against Osteosarcoma.

Chris was born to Peter Sakelakos and Janet Sakelakos (Chase) on December 10th, 1979 in Salem. Growing up in Peabody, Chris also known as "Sak" was always involved in local sports, such as Peabody Little League, Babe Ruth, Pop Warner football, CYO basketball, and Peabody Youth Soccer.

After graduating from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School with the class of 1998 where he was captain of the varsity basketball team and played for the Peabody High varsity football team, and was a member of the National Honor Society, Chris enrolled at Bowdoin College in Maine. There he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics with a Minor in Education in 2002. He played for Bowdoin College's football team as a tight end. After Bowdoin, he went on to earn his Masters Degree in teaching mathematics from Salem State University in 2010.

Always a beloved and well respected educator, Chris was known to his students as Mr. Sak, their high school math teacher, a position which he proudly held for over twenty years. Chris' passion for education and athletics blended impeccably as a youth coach, and as a high school coach for St. John's Prep basketball in Danvers and football at both Salem and Lynnfield High Schools. Through coaching Chris formed life long friendships with his fellow coaches, and connections with past players that he valued tremendously.

Outside of his teaching career, Chris spent the summers working part time for his family's plumbing business Sakel & Sons, earning the title of Apprentice Plumber with guidance from his father, Peter. Chris lived an active life, he ran many road races from 5ks to half marathons, and shared this hobby with many friends including his wife. Chris enjoyed an early game of basketball with his colleagues before work, and often golfed with his brother, father and friends. In his downtime, he enjoyed many weekends and summers throughout his life with his family at their cottage in Limerick, Maine. He even met his wife, Christina, at their favorite sports bar, Champions Pub in Peabody, where many milestones throughout their relationship were celebrated. Most of all, Chris loved spending time with those he loved, especially his two daughters Cami and Ava. Chris was the epitome of a girl dad, and was always excited to paint nails, play dolls, have a tea party, and give piggy back rides.  The girls were his greatest joy in life, and he will continue to surround them with his love.

Christopher is survived by his beloved wife, Christina Sakelakos (Rubino) whom he shared 14 years with, 7 of them married and their two young, amazing daughters, Cami and Ava. He is also survived by his loving parents, Peter and Janet Sakelakos, sister, Andrea Sakelakos of Peabody, brother, Mark Sakelakos and his wife, Emily Sakelakos, and their daughter, Quinn of Peabody, aunts, Patricia and husband, Michael Ellis, Gayle Chase Negroni, and Donna Sakelakos, his father and mother-in-law Joe and Carol Rubino, and his brother-in-law Dominic Rubino. He also leaves behind aunts, uncles, cousins, colleagues and countless friends who have turned into family. Chris was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Harvey and Marjorie Chase, paternal grandparents, Peter and Dorothy Sakelakos, aunt, Donna Ducey, and his sister, Julie Sakelakos.

ARRANGEMENTS: All who knew Chris are welcome to attend and celebrate a life well lived at the church. Chris' funeral service will be held at the Community Covenant Church, 33 Lake St., West Peabody, MA on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 at 10 AM. A celebration of life will follow immediately after the service, details to be announced following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Christopher's name to the Sarcoma Strong Foundation, sarcomastrong.charityproud.org/Donate , or to the Kaplan Family Hospice House (Care Dimensions), 78 Liberty St, Danvers, MA 01923. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations - Funerals - Celebrations, 167 Maple St. (rte 62) DANVERS. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

Kaplan Family Hospice House
75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers MA 01923
Web: https://www.caredimensions.org/support-our-mission/ways-to-give/

Sarcoma Strong Foundation
Web: https://sarcomastrong.charityproud.org/Donate