Basil Charles Chigas, 76, of Acton, formerly of Concord and Lincoln, passed away on August 29, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
Basil was born on December 29, 1947, in Lowell. He was raised in Billerica by his parents, the late Florence (Wastchak) and Charles Chigas. Basil attended high school at both Lawrence Academy and Tilton School (1965). He then attended Hobart and William Smith College (1969) and later transferred to and graduated from Northeastern University (1974).
Basil had a diverse career path, which included working in studio production at WGBH-TV, working with his wife on their peach farm in Lincoln, selling solar systems, and finally enjoying almost 40 years as a financial advisor, for nearly 20 of which he proudly worked side by side with his son, Nicholas. Basil was appreciative of the relationships he built with his clients and their families over the years.
He retired in January 2024 and made the most of his retirement, which included travel with his family. He had a memorable trip with his son, Jason, to Oahu, Hawaii. Along with his wife, Dia, he visited Iceland and Key West with his son and daughter-in-law, Alex and Cate. Basil and Dia also shared the excitement of raising puppy siblings with his daughter, Chloe, and her family. Lastly, Basil enjoyed simply relaxing at his beloved home on Sebago Lake in Maine.
Basil lived life with many passions. He was very proud of his Greek heritage. He loved celebrating Greek Easter, because it was a tradition that deepened family relationships. He cared deeply about maintaining connections with his cousins in Greece. He also continued the legacy of his father and uncle by funding scholarships for Greek students at Tufts University (the alma mater of his father and uncle). His parents purchased a home on Sebago Lake in 1951 and named it Porta Panagia (Gateway to Heaven). Basil loved spending time on the lake boating, fishing, and discussing the weather, which often included the direction of the winds. He enjoyed clay pigeon shooting, reading, and political debate.
Anyone who knew Basil knew he loved Costco. Basil could find any reason to visit his beloved chain, including stocking up on a year’s worth of toilet paper, paper towels, and paper plates. He even stopped at Costco on his first day of vacation in Hawaii to buy a Costco hot dog. “It’s still only $1.25, even in Hawaii!” he excitedly shared with everyone.
More than anything, Basil valued his family. While working as sound technician at WGBH, Basil met his future wife, Dia (Wasley), who was a prop girl on a Greek cooking show. He would complain to her about the recipes, because he felt they lacked the Greek ingredients of his family recipes from the mountains of Pyli, Greece. In an attempt to show Dia an authentically Greek meal, Basil invited her to his apartment for a spanakopita (the first and last pita he ever made for her) on their first date. She moved in immediately, and they got engaged two weeks later at a clam shack in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Basil married Dia on September 6, 1975, on Nantucket. Of all his accomplishments in life, he was most proud of the family he and Dia raised in their 49 years of marriage.
The loss of Basil will leave a hole in the lives of everyone who knew him, and he will be terribly missed by his loving children, Chloe Wheaton and her husband Paul of Bedford; Jason Chigas of Waltham; Nicholas Chigas and his wife, Maggie of Concord; Alex Chigas and his wife Cate, of Waltham; his goldendoodle, Obi; and his grandchildren Stephen and Charlie Wheaton, Sophia Chigas, and Cole Chigas.
When thinking about how he wanted to be remembered, Basil stated, “Above all else, he loved his family.”
Basil’s life will be celebrated privately by his family. Basil will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Acton.
Basil had a philanthropic heart and supported many charities that were important to him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jhamtse International or the Raymond Village Library.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence in his online guestbook, visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
