Online Obituaries Christy Karr, of Agawam and formerly of Brockton, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 19, 2013 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Christy Karr was born in 1920 in Hyde Park, MA, then a separate town but later annexed by the City of Boston. His parents, Merinos and Demetra, emigrated from Greece in 1911. Christy was the youngest of four children, George, Helen, and Bessie, who all preceded him in death. The family moved to Brockton, MA in 1925 where he grew up and attended the Brockton schools. He was an outstanding center and linebacker for the Brockton High School championship football teams of the late 1930's. Upon graduation in 1938, Christy attended Tilton School and a year later was admitted to Brown University in Providence, RI. He studied mathematics, which became the foundation for his career in industrial engineering, and continued to excel on the football field as a Center. Christy was drafted by the New York Football Giants in 1943 but had to decline the offer to serve his country in World War II. He graduated from the U. S. Navy Midshipmen School, located at Columbia University in New York City and was commissioned a Lieutenant Jr. Grade. His tour of duty was in the Pacific on the USS Matar, an attack transport upon which he was responsible for the Higgins Landing Craft. During wartime, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth Flanagan, of Springfield, MA, whom he met during his tenure at Brown while she was a student of Pembroke Women's College. Upon returning from the war, Christy and Elizabeth moved to Racine, WI where he started his career in industrial engineering at Badger Foundry. His love of family soon drove him to return to New England and in 1948 he moved to Rutland, VT to work at the Howe Scale Company. Once back in New England, he reconnected with football and played for the Holyoke Churchills, a semi-pro team. The family magnet led him to seek employment progressively closer to home with stops at Orange, MA, where he worked at the Rodney Hunt Co., and then to Springfield, MA for his position at the Colorado Fuel Iron wire mill in Palmer, MA and then on to the Crane Co., in Indian Orchard, MA. At each stop in his journey Christy progressively advanced his career, moving from engineer through department manager to Plant and General Manager positions at these major industrial organizations. The recessions and industrial plant closures of the 1960's and 1970's took their toll and Christy left the area again to manage the Lunkenheimer valve plant in Cincinnati. Again his love of family and home led him back to Massachusetts when he began a second career at 57 in industrial management consulting with the American Association of Industrial Management. Christy moved the organization, originally headquartered near Philadelphia, to Springfield when he became President. He continued consulting until he retired at the age of 84. Christy's true focus and life mission was his family. Always generous in spirit to his three children, Christy, Richard and Elizabeth, Christy was a source of unwavering love, guidance, support and leadership. From coaching little league baseball, to dance recitals, to dental school, "Dear Old Dad" was always there to support and encourage us. His love of family, commitment and generosity continued unabated when the grandchildren came along. He was proud of all of his children and grandchildren and his home was filled with pictures of family events and gatherings. Christy was passionate about football and was a lifelong supporter of the Brown University football program, attending games up until last year. Christy was active in the Rotary Club and served one term as President of the Springfield Chapter in the 1960's. Christy never remarried after his divorce but years later reconnected with Elizabeth and continued to visit her at their beloved home on South Branch Parkway up until his death. Christy learned the Greek language at home and at the church Greek school as a youth and was very proud of his heritage. He visited his parents' home town in Tripoli and was a member of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Springfield. Christy was a devoted family man. He was married to the love of his life, Elizabeth Flanagan. Known as "Dear Old Dad" by his children, Christy Jr. (wife Peggy) of Imperial, PA, Richard (wife Ellen) of Marshfield, MA and Elizabeth Rodbell (husband Mitchell) of New York, NY, he was happiest spending time with them and his grandchildren, Danielle, Joanna, Emily, Ryan, Hannah, Sarah, and his great grandchild Luca. Christy will be forever remembered as a loving father who lived life to the fullest. Funeral Information Funeral from the Russell Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rt123) Brockton on Saturday, December 28th at 9:00AM followed by a funeral service in the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 457 Oak St., Brockton at 10:00AM. The Rev. John Kiramraios officiating. Interment will follow in Melrose Cemetery, Brockton. Calling hours in the Russell Pica Funeral Home on Friday from 4:00-8:00PM. MEMORIAL SERVICE Liz Rodbell will be having a Memorial Service at her residence in New York City on Thursday, January 9th at 6:00PM.