Christopher J. Sakelakos ’02 died on September 16, 2025, in Danvers, Massachusetts.
(The following was provided by Daily item in September 19, 2025:)
Christopher J. Sakelakos ’02
Salem – Christopher Judson Sakelakos, 45, of Salem passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on September 16, 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 10, 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 High School with the class of 1998, where he was captain of the basketball team, played for Peabody High football, and was a member of the National Honor Society, Chris enrolled at Bowdoin College in Maine. There he earned his BA in math, 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 master of arts 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’s 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 School. 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 down time, 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 piggyback 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 (Rubino) Sakelakos, with whom he shared fourteen years, seven of them married, and with their two young, amazing daughters, Cami and Ava. He is also survived by his loving parents, Peter and Janet Sakelakos; his brother, Mark Sakelakos, his wife, Emily Sakelakos, and their daughter, Quinn, of Peabody; his sister Andrea Sakelakos of Peabody; aunts Patricia (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 is predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Harvey and Marjorie Chase, paternal grandparents, Peter and Dorothy Sakelakos, aunt Donna Ducey, and his sister Julie Sakelakos.