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LOS ANGELES -- Christopher Robert Safos, 38, formerly of Warren, fell asleep in the Lord on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in Los Angeles, California.
Born Jan. 14, 1986, in Warren, to Robert and Denise Safos, in the year Haley's Comet last passed earth, his life was much like the Comet, ablaze in the passion of life being seen and felt, and then too soon gone. He was the finest example of a Christian life because he always helped his fellow man. There were few days that he was not stopping on a busy highway around Los Angeles to help someone whose car had broken down or feeding one less fortunate than him, even when he had little.
While in school, his love was soccer, which he played, coached and refereed from his high school days and for the rest of his life. His greatest interest was being involved in film production. He started by going to The New York Film Academy in Florida. Immediately after that, he attended acting school in New York City at William Esper Studio. Within that program he studied facial interpretation from master mask makers in Bali, Indonesia. While still in New York City, he assisted Oliver Stone in the movie about the destruction of the Twin Towers. Around this time, he was advised to go to Hollywood and, without friends, family or even contacts, at 19 years of age, he moved to Los Angeles. He briefly worked in public relations and television production with the actor William Shatner. For several years he was the assistant to the technical director with the Los Angeles Film Festival. During these years he was given movie scripts to review and worked on bringing them to reality.
He enjoyed traveling to London, Singapore and throughout Australia and spent time making a documentary film in remote regions of China. Although he was a member of the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of Southern California, he regretted that he was never able to see the home of his great-grandfather on the island of Ikaria, Greece. He was raised in the Greek Orthodox Church and loved volunteering to cook at the annual festivals at Saint Sophia -- Los Angeles, California, Saint Nicholas -- Northridge, California, and Saint Demetrios, when he was home in Warren.
He became proficient in the operation of many types of movie cameras. Later, he progressed to driving and operating the camera cranes for overhead shots in movies and professional football games all over the country.
Wanting to travel less, he became a proud member of the Hollywood Teamsters Union Local 399 in Los Angeles. He was employed transporting equipment, sets and actors on film shoots and was a transportation captain and coordinator on many national commercials, television and movie productions. For weeks during the California wildfires, he volunteered to deliver water trucks to the fire fighters. They honored him with a fireman's helmet, boots and protective gear and ax, which he proudly displayed after that.
Although he acted in some films and was a member of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, he preferred being part of the group of people that work behind the scenes. He was happiest when he was on set and was highly respected as one who worked to make sure that all would go flawlessly on the production. His work involved being able to fix equipment like lights or generators that power the sets. Fixing equipment led him to repair vehicles which in turn got him work, first transporting race cars to tracks around the country, with the SCCA (The Sports Car Club of America) and IMSA (The International Motor Sports Association) and then working as pit crew for the Porsche Racing Team. Later he purchased and reconditioned automobiles which he would rent to production companies making films with his Studio Picture Cars Company. He also did stunt driving for films like "Mad Max" and "The Fast and Furious." When COVID came and closed the movie industry, he was severely affected; but he continued to spend a great deal of his time helping everyone he came in contact with. He accomplished more in less time than most on this earth, but his greatest accomplishment was his love for his fellow man.
Leaving behind with broken hearts are his father and mother, Robert and Denise; and his two brothers, Michael and Matthew, who loved him and were, in turn, loved by him. He also leaves his daughter, Ella, who he loved more than anything in the world, and her mother, Alonna. Finally, the many people whose lives he touched and who returned that love.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that in his remembrance and from his example please be kind to all those you encounter.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Carl W. Hall Funeral Home, 533 N. Park Ave., Warren, OH 44481, 330-394-4656.
A memorial page and photo gallery has been created for Christopher. This can be viewed at https://www.greekobituary.net/obituary/christopher-safos.
Visiting hours will be held 10 to 11 a.m., with a funeral service following at 11 a.m. to noon Friday, April 26, 2024, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 429 High St. NE, Warren, OH 44481.
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