LESTER M. MACRIS, age 80, of Canton, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2015, surrounded by his loving family after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's. He was born on February 20, 1935 in Canton, Ohio, to the late Michael and Irene Macris who emigrated here from Crete, Greece. He was a 1954 graduate of Timken High School and a veteran of the United States Army from 1954-56, serving as a sharpshooter in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Lester served the City of Canton as a fireman in his early years and later was the General Manager at the Ohio Prestwick Country Club.

Lester's life was built upon his family being the second youngest of seven children. He was blessed with exceptional athleticism and excelled in multiple sports throughout high school being named and photographed numerous times in the local newspapers. With as much credit due Paula, the Macris home is where Christmas happened. Nowhere was there a greater appreciation and bounty of the finest food and hospitality. Lester was an excellent golfer, always sharing invaluable tips with friends and family. His advice in golf as it was in life: "You win the match with the bet you make on the first tee". He was a most decisive and generous man. Lester was a man of a gruff exterior, but had a heart of gold. He was intuitive about people and had an intellect born from street savvy. In all corners of the community, when one would mention his name, invariably he would be described with the greatest compliment: He was a good man, a great athlete, he served his country, cherished his family and he made this world a better place. In addition to his parents, Lester was preceded in death by his brothers, George Macris, Nick Macris, and his sister, Mary Chessler. Survivors include his loving wife, Paula, his children Lisa (George) Georgiades, Carl (Liz) Macris and his brother, Greg (Willy) Macris and his sisters, Helen (Ron) Carnahan and Clara Masse, along with grandchildren, Farah Cook and Marios Macris and several loving nieces and nephews.

Friends may call 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Rossi Funeral Home on Sunday, July 5, 2015, and one hour before funeral services at the church on Monday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. A Trisagion Service will be held at 7:00 pm Sunday evening. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 6, 2015, 11:00 am at Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, Canton, Ohio with Rev. Dr. Nicholas V. Gamvas officiating assisted by Rev. Dr. Daniel Rogich. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lester's name may be made to Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church or the Alzheimer's Association local chapter.