Laconia, N.H.---Attorney Peter Makris of 1086 Weirs Boulevard, Naswa Resort, passed away at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Dana Farber Ward in Boston on Sunday, February 4, 2007 after a brief illness with lung cancer. Mr. Makris was born October 21, 1924 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, the son of the late George and Aspasia (Kutrubes) Makris. His parents immigrated to Boston from the small village of Theologos, in Sparta Greece. Mr. Makris was extremely proud of his Spartan Heritage. He attended Boston schools dropping out of high school at the age of 17 to join the Marine Corps during World War II. Mr. Makris proudly served in the Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater and was discharged honorably in 1945. After his discharge, Mr. Makris returned to Boston to complete high school. He enrolled in Suffolk University and Suffolk Law School where he ultimately completed Law School in 1950. While preparing to take the Massachusetts Bar exam, he accepted an appointment on the Boston Police Force, serving in the Charlestown area of Boston. After passing the Massachusetts Bar exam, he resigned from the police force to pursue a career in Law. During this time, he met his future wife, the former Hope Salta of Laconia, in 1949. They were married in December of 1950 at which time he moved to Laconia, NH. Mr. Makris took the New Hampshire Bar exam and then opened a law office in downtown Laconia in the Oscar Lougee building. At that time, a legendary Laconia Lawyer and former Municipal Court Justice Frederick K. Fowler gave Mr. Makris his office and despite Judge Fowler’s age of 95 years, he came to visit the office daily and constantly apologized to Attorney Makris that he had no clients to give him because he had out lived them all. Attorney Makris actively practiced law in Laconia for 40 years after which he devoted his full time to the operation of the family business, the Naswa Resort. During his legal career, Attorney Makris was a member of the American Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, New Hampshire Bar Association and the Federal Bar. He was also a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association. He received his plaque for 50 years of service to the N.H. Bar Association in 2002. He was active in local Republican politics and was elected to the Laconia City Council Ward 6. Attorney Makris served as the Belknap County Attorney in the 1970’s. He was very active in the Greek Orthodox Church, Taxiarchi in Laconia. He served on the board of trustees and was also President of the Church. Mr. Makris was the Godfather to the Church which is a highly regarded honor in Greek Churches around the country. He was a member of the St Marks Church in Boca Raton, Florida and the St. Demetrios Church of Fort Lauderdale, Florida which he attended during the winter. Mr. Makris was a life member of the Laconia Lions Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Laconia Post 1670, a Disabled American Veteran, U.S. Marine Corps League, Lakes Region Detachment, Masonic Order Lodge 83 Meredith and a 32nd degree Mason, Laconia Lodge of Elks, and American Legion Wilkins-Smith Post No 1. He was a member of the Bektash Shrine Temple, Winnipesaukee Shriners and the Bektash Mini Patrol. Mr. Makris “Golden Greek” was an avid motorcycle enthusiast in which he actively rode with the NH Leathernecks until his death. Peter loved his guests at the Naswa Resort and could be easily found most summer days at the Naswa Beach Bar with his dog, Agape, handing out the Naswa Resort’s trademark sun glass pins to his guests. For 56 years, he daily took groups of house guests out on The Naswa boat for their free ride on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Peter Makris was extremely devoted to his family. Survivors include his wife of fifty-six years, Hope (Salta) Makris; three daughters, Karen Lowell and her husband, James Lowell, of Gilford; Victoria Makris and her husband, Michael Moore, of Laconia and Cynthia Makris of Laconia; four granddaughters, Kara (Lowell) Chase, Kristin Lowell, Alexandra Moore and Sophia Moore; a brother, James Makris, and two sisters, Angie Makris and Helen Costas of Boston.
Calling hours will be at the Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH on Friday, February 9, 2007 from 6pm to 9pm using the Carriage House entrance.
The funeral will be held at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 68 North State Street Concord, N.H. at 12(noon)pm on Saturday, February 10, 2007 and the Reverends Peter Papps and Demetrios Tonias will officiate.
Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is in charge of the arrangements. . For more information and to view the online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.
Donations may be made to the Peter Makris Memorial Fund at the Taxiarchi Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 86, Laconia, NH 03247.
There will be a Celebration of Peter’s life at The Naswa Resort Saturday, February 10, 2007 from 3-6PM.
