Read the obituary for Ipswich Clam Box owner Marina ‘Chickie’ Aggelakis
“A heart of gold and an unsung hero whose philanthropic generosity looked for nothing in return.”
The Clam Box in Ipswich.
Loved ones are remembering Marina Aggelakis, owner of the beloved Clam Box in Ipswich, for her dedication to her family and commitment to running a “top notch” restaurant.
Aggelakis, known as ‘Chickie,’ died Wednesday peacefully after what her family described as a “brief and brave” battle with cancer. She was 70 years old.
“Chickie hired and mentored generations of young people who returned to visit her over the years and became lifelong friends,” her family wrote in her obituary. “She greeted her customers with smiles, conversations and a genuine concern that their food was ‘up to her high standards.’ She is described by many as having a heart of gold and an unsung hero whose philanthropic generosity looked for nothing in return. Others describe her as giving sunshine to so many.”
The Ipswich native purchased The Clam Box with her husband, Theodore, in the mid-’80s after opening Chick’s Roast Beef in Ipswich, Gloucester and Bradford, according to her family.
“She focused on offering the best fried seafood to locals and visitors to the area,” her loved ones wrote. “Her claim to fame was, ‘We didn’t invent the fried clam, we perfected it!’”
Funeral services for the 70-year-old restaurateur will be held Tuesday. The family is asking that in lieu of flowers donations be made in her memory to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Ipswich.
Read the full obituary for Aggelakis, shared by Morris Funeral Home, below:
Marina “Chickie” (Galanis) Aggelakis, age 70, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, surrounded by her loving family after a brief and brave battle with cancer. The daughter of Stella (Pappas) Galanis and the late Peter J. Galanis, Chickie was raised and lived in Ipswich her entire life. She was a graduate of Ipswich High School and Westbrook College.
After a successful career as a buyer for Jordan Marsh, she and her husband Theodore Aggelakis opened Chick’s Roast Beef in Ipswich, Gloucester and Bradford. In the mid-eighties they purchased The Clam Box in Ipswich. In conjunction with her successful businesses, Chickie was actively involved in the Ipswich community, especially her son’s sports programs. She was honored by the Ipswich Rotary Club with the Person of the Year Award for exemplifying the Rotary ideal of service above self to her community.
Chickie dedicated her life to being a mother and running a top-notch seafood restaurant. She focused on offering the best fried seafood to locals and visitors to the area. Her claim to fame was, “We didn’t invent the fried clam, we perfected it!”
The Clam Box became “world famous” under her ownership. She was featured throughout the years in Yankee Magazine, The Phantom Gourmet, The New York Times, Gourmet Magazine, and the Boston Globe, to name a few.
Chickie hired and mentored generations of young people who returned to visit her over the years and became lifelong friends. She greeted her customers with smiles, conversations and a genuine concern that their food was “up to her high standards.” She is described by many as having a heart of gold and an unsung hero whose philanthropic generosity looked for nothing in return. Others describe her as giving sunshine to so many.
She was a lifelong member of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Ipswich, a member of the church’s Melissa Society and an officer of the Logganiko Society.
She is survived by her beloved son Dimitri and daughter-in-law Johanna (Pechilis) Aggelakis, her devoted mother Stella Galanis, her brother John Galanis and his wife Chandra and sister Elaine Kaszuba and her husband Andrew. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She will be deeply missed by all.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Highland Cemetery, 29 Town Farm Road, Ipswich. All are invited to attend, please remember that face coverings are required, social distancing is to be followed and all are asked not to touch the family. Visiting hours will be held Monday, Aug. 31, 2020 from 4-7 p.m. in the Morris Funeral Home, 45 North Main Street, Ipswich; those who plan to attend are asked to follow the safety protocols during this pandemic.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations may be made in Chickie’s name to: the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church P.O. Box 6 Ipswich, MA 01938. To send a condolence to Chickie’s family please go to: MorrisFH.com.
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