Katina Rizeakos

Katina Rizeakos, 93, of Saco, passed away on Friday, June 3, 2022, with family by her side.

She was born in Greece on April 15, 1929, the youngest of ten children of George and Kalliope (Levi) Tragea, growing up in the small village of Thalamas in Western Mani, Greece.  A true Warrior, she survived German soldiers pointing guns at her as a child, Italians invading the family household and the worst of all the Greek Civil War where she escaped after being kidnapped.

In 1956, Katina was introduced to her husband Michael in Piraeus, Greece.  They were married and had five children. In 1965, tragedy struck and they lost their son John.

On March 3, 1970, the family migrated to the United States and settled in Saco Maine.

Thankfully, Katina and her husband were from the generation of hard work. The demands of a young family in a new country required them to work two to three jobs. They did this with devotion and commitment while their children went to school. In 1985, the family purchased the Golden Rooster Restaurant in Saco Maine. Katina worked at the Restaurant until the age of 82. To this day the Rizeakos family still owns and operates this landmark.

Katina enjoyed some traveling, trips to Greece and Florida. She always appreciated the simple things that life and family had to offer. These ranged from cherished time together and cooked meals with the family and friends.  Katina loved to spend many hours in her garden, as well as time at the beach with her family and friends.  She believed that the ocean water was good for the soul.  Most of all, she enjoyed cooking and loved to make sure that anyone that entered her house was always asked "did you eat"?  Even if your answer was "yes" you would still have to eat.

Katina was a lady of strong faith and a member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Saco.

She was predeceased by her husband Michael Rizeakos on November 3, 1995, her son John, nine siblings and a great grandson Zander.

She is survived by her four children, Panayiota Papas and husband John, George Rizeakos and fiancé Wendy, Voula Willette and husband Frank and Christos Rizeakos and wife Gloria. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, Kalliope and husband Joseph, Michael and fiancé Kimberly, Christos, Michael Alex, John, Katina and husband Chris, Nicole, Michael and wife Ana, Kathryn and Nicholas, as well as five great grandchildren, Aleah, Jordan, Augoustino, Brady, and Liam.  Katina also has many nieces and nephews in Greece.

Visiting Hours will be from 5-8PM Thursday, June 9, 2022, with the Trisagion Service at 6PM from Cote Funeral Home Chapel, Saco. A Funeral Service will be held at 10AM Friday, June 10, 2022, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Saco. Burial will follow in St. Demetrios Cemetery in Biddeford. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.  To view Katina's memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com