By DALIP GRECA
Memorie.al / The Albanian diaspora was unfortunate because the unifier of the scattered blood of Arbër, Peter Genc Chicos, the son of one of the founders of “Vatra”, its first treasurer, the co-companion of Fan S. Noli in the creation of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, the former president of “Besa-Besa”, Llambi Chicos, was short-lived. He passed away at the beginning of the battle to unite the blood of Arbër, scattered throughout the world. He went to the Arbëresh settlements, in Palermo, in Rome, was received by the Pope of Rome, participated in the activities dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the National Hero Gjergj Kastrioti, and a year later he “shook” America, bringing a delegation of 120 Arbëresh, professors, academics, researchers, clergy, young women, who for 10 days, joined the Albanians of the USA and organized concerts and visits in Boston, the great Albanian parade in New York, on 6th Avenue, a 2-day scientific seminar, painting exhibitions with the works of Ibrahim Kodra and Lin Delija, religious prayers at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, with all three religions, a solemn dinner with 2 thousand people, etc.…
…He was only 52 years old when, in the early morning of July 1, 1970, at his home at 110 Crestview Rd, Belmont, Boston, he passed away after a heart attack. He had spent the evening with his good friend, one of the leaders of “Vatra” over the years, the first doctor of Albanians in America, Andrew Elia. They had talked at length about the work of “Vatra”. Peter Chicos had just returned to Boston, after a month-long trip through Europe, where he had met various European personalities and the leaders of the Albanian diaspora, in pursuit of his dream of uniting all Albanians. The leader of “Vatra” left his family, the “Vatra” and all those who had joined him in his initiative in deep sorrow.
SON OF THE CO-FOUNDER OF THE HEART, LLAMBI CHIKOZI
Peter Chicos was the son of a well-known patriot who had come to the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. His father, Llambi Chikozi, had been in the leadership of the “Besa-Besë” Society, one of the initiators and supporters of the creation of the Albanian Orthodox Autocephalous Church, the cornerstone of the Federation. Llambi Chikozi was one of the five founders of “Vatra” and on April 28, when the Federation was declared established, he was assigned the task of the first treasurer of “Vatra”. Peter Chicos was born in January 1918, in Boston. He was a good child and excelled in his studies. Peter graduated from the University of Law, completing his studies with high results at Northeast Boston, at the Faculty of Law.
During World War II, he served on General Eisenhower’s staff in France in the Sixth Army and carried messages of American freedom. He was part of the American combat formations that liberated France and later was a member of the Berlin Control Commission. Major Peter Chicos distinguished himself in the performance of combat duties. He was decorated for bravery and intelligence in the field of war with the Croix de Guerre avec Palmes Medal from General Leclerc of France and the Bronze Star Medal from the United States Army. He was honorably discharged from the Army at the end of the war, holding the rank of major. In civilian life Peter Chicos was equally successful. He was the founder and partner of the Chickering Insurance Agency of Boston, one of the largest and most successful in all of New England.
THE GRIEVANCE OF THE ALBANIAN FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
Several hundred compatriots gathered at the funeral home in Watertown, in an aristocratic neighborhood, as described by the magazines “Shejzat”, “Koha”, and the newspaper he loved and worked for with all his heart, “Dielli”, of the Albanians of America. The participants were so numerous that the large funeral home could not accommodate them, but some stayed outside and the police regulated traffic and maintained order. The chairman of the “Vatra” was given extraordinary honor and was escorted with state protocol. He was treated as a high-ranking personality by the American state. Four rooms were full of wreaths of flowers, brought by state personalities, by the family, by the “Vatranët”, the community, and the Arbëreshët.
On July 3, the long procession of cars, led by 6 cars with wreaths of flowers, sent the coffin with the lifeless body of President Chikos to the Cathedral of “St. George” of Bishop Noli, to that church, where Peter Chikos’ father Llambi Chikozi had contributed so much, but also himself. The Cathedral’s bell rang out, conveying with its echo one of the Albanians who had a dream: To unite Albanians, wherever they lived in the world; the President of Vatra, Peter Chikos. The church could not receive all the compatriots who wanted to say goodbye to the president of “Vatra”. Hundreds of compatriots had gathered in front of the Church, coming from different states of America, but also from Canada.
The cathedral was so full that it could not hold them. The coffin was covered with the flag of the United States of America, under that flag; the major had fought in the ranks of the most powerful army in the world, even next to the famous general Eisenhower. Six people accompanied the coffin, where in addition to the authorities, the former chairman of “Vatra”, Anthony Athanas and Dr. Hamdi Oruçi, the director of the activities of the 60th anniversary of the “Dielli” Newspaper, stood out. The mass was presided over by the Bishop of the Albanian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in America, His Grace Stephan Lasko, assisted by Father Sotir Dilogjika, Father Christ Ellis, Father Nick Liolin and Arthur Liolin…!
After the mass, His Grace Bishop Stephan Lasko, gave a touching speech, while the obituary speech was given by Dr. Andrew Elia, who had been the last interlocutor with the deceased. On behalf of “Vatrë” from the altar of the Church, his friend, Dr. Hamdi Oruçi, spoke. The body of the chairman of “Vatrë” was buried in the same cemetery, where the bodies of Fan S. Noli, Faik Konica and other “Vatrë” rested. The ceremony ended with a farewell lunch, which was served at the famous restaurant of the time, Athony Athanas “Pier Four”. The two large halls of the restaurant were full. At the funeral lunch, the soul of the chairman, who left at the peak of good works for “Vatrë”, Mr. Hajdar Tonuzi, former vice-chairman of “Vatrë”, “cried” with words?
In all the accompanying funeral activities, the main state officials were represented: the Governor, the Mayor, Congressmen and senators. Professor Torielli, of Loyola University, who had been Petter’s commander during the War, had also come from well-known institutes and security agencies, etc. The Boston “Vatra” was all there, but also the branches of “Vatra” from different states; from Detroit, Waterbury, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Ohio, Toronto.
A delegation composed of former presidents of “Vatra” stood at the head: Andreë Elia, Ali Arrëza, Christo Thanas, James Thanas, Barney Kirka, Editor of “Diellit”, Dr. Athanas Gegaj, Editor of the newspaper “Liria”, Dhimiter Trebicka, etc. Among the personalities of the Exile, the following stood out: Tahir Kolgjini, Selim Damani, Vasil Germenji, Dr. Rexhep Krasniqi, Lemi Kokalari, Vahit Chika, Nick Kreshpani, Ago Agaj, Reis Agaj and Gjon Gjinaj, one of the freedom fighters, etc. The chairman of “Vatra” Peter Chikos, left behind: Mrs. Nicholina, three children – Marlyn, 20 years old, Paul, 19 years old and Roberta, who was 15 years old at the time; he left behind a brother, John; two sisters – Mrs. Flora Theodore from Belmont, Mrs. Tefi Chani, from Brockton, Boston.
ALSO THE AMERICAN NEWSPAPER “THE BOSTON GLOBE”, HONORED PETER CHIKOS
The American newspaper “The Boston Globe”, in its issue of Thursday, July 2, 1970, in the morning edition, wrote a special article to pay tribute to the exemplary American citizen Peter Chikos, without forgetting to mention the Albanian origin of his parents, as well as his success in leading the Pan-Albanian Federation of America “VATRA”, the unification of the Albanian and Arbëresh diaspora, as well as his successes in military and civilian life. The newspaper wrote: “As a military intelligence officer, he served on General Eisenhower’s staff during the occupation of France and fought for its liberation. He participated in the liberation of Southern France as a member of Army Group No. 6 and served in the ‘Berlin Control’ Mission after the defeat of the Nazis. For exceptional service in Germany, he was decorated with the ‘Bronze Star’ Medal and the ‘Freanch de Croix de guerre With Palms'”, wrote, among other things, the “Boston Globe”! Memorie.al
