Stavros Socrates Frantzis

Stavros  Socrates  Frantzis, of Jamaica Plain, 72, on March 15, 2014 after a short illness. He was the beloved husband of Doris Charry Frantzis, and was the devoted father of Renzo Miranda of Jamaica Plain, and Sokrates Frantzis of California, his brother Kostas and sister Anthi.  Born and raised in Mytilini, Greece, he was Principal of Frantzis and Associates, a commercial and residential real estate investment, construction and development firm. His company focused on the revitalization of inner-city commercial areas in Boston neighborhoods, taking properties that were in disrepair and turning them into successful projects sensitive to neighborhood concerns regarding design and use. After receiving master’s degrees in chemical engineering from Technical University of Athens and from Northwestern University in Illinois, he earned his doctorate in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences from Northwestern in 1974. He was on the full-time faculties of Loyola University of Chicago (1973-1975) and then Northeastern University in Boston (1975-1982). He taught part-time at Babson College from 1982-1985. Stavros was fluent in Greek, English and Spanish and frequently traveled to Colombia and Greece. He, his wife and son Renzo went around the world in 80 days last summer, circling west to more than 10 countries before arriving back in Boston. He was a philanthropist who donated to many causes and was affiliated with community organizations that dealt with planning and commerce. His hands were said to be both strong and artistic, and he used them to design buildings and gardens. His blue eyes were the color of the Aegean Sea. “Death is the last journey in life,” he said. For information about the memorial event to be held on Tuesday, March 18, please contact stavrosmemorial@gmail.com