MARIA KOZOMBOLIS LEMAY
A member of a prominent Lowell family Co-owner with her brother of Captain John’s Restaurant
for the event.
“When I would get stressed out about the donations not coming in or coming in slowly,” Indelicato said, “she would always say, ‘Relax, you got this. You know they’re going to come.’”
And they have. According to Indelicato,
LOWELL - Maria Kozombolis Lemay, 64, coowner and operator, with her brother Nicholas Kozombolis, of Captain John’s Restaurant and Lounge in Cupples Square, passed away on Monday, December 4, 2023 in Boston, following a brief battle with cancer. She was the beloved wife for 15 years of Brian J. Lemay and devoted sister of Nicholas P. Kozombolis.
Maria was born in Lowell on March 15, 1959, a daughter of the late John and Stavrula “Stella” (Papanastasiou) Kozombolis. She was a graduate of Presentation of Mary Academy and Lowell High School, 1977, receiving high honors at both institutions. Maria also studied Law at Suffolk University in Boston.
Maria was brought up in the restaurant business. Her parents, John and Stella had established two successful restaurants in the Highland’s Cupples Square location on Westford Street, first the Lobster Basket, and later, Captain John’s Restaurant and Lounge, expanding on their prior success. Maria and her brother Nick worked alongside their parents until their deaths, John in 1983 and Stella in 2019. Maria and Nick took over the ownership and day to day operation of Captain John’s continuing their parent’s legacy, serving yet another generation of patrons good spirits, cold beer, and the best fried and baked fresh seafood anywhere.
When Maria wasn’t at the restaurant, she enjoyed going to the beach and traveling to Aruba with her husband Brian. Maria enjoyed cooking for her family for all the holidays. She also enjoyed decorating her home and restaurant with flowers for holidays and special occasions. She loved shopping. Maria was a very loving person, caring for everyone, especially her employees. She was also very generous to our local charities and especially to Rosie’s Place in Boston.
Maria is survived by her husband Brian Lemay, her stepdaughter Alyssa J. Lemay; her brother Nicholas P. Kozombolis; several cousins and her Godchildren; Marcus, Fotulla, Sammy, and John; Maria leaves countless friends, patrons, and customers of her beloved Captain John’s, who’s friendship over the years has felt like family to her. Last but not least, she leaves her dog, C.J. Lemay and cat Thumper. over the last six years, the party has raised approximately $22,000 for Sun Santa, which provides assistance to families in the 23 communities served by The Sun. Since 1988, Sun Santa has collected funds to help struggling families put holiday meals on the table and gifts under the Christmas tree.
The holiday cheer was flowing during Sunday’s event, with raffles, Christmas music, food, drinks, and even a visit from the man himself, Santa. The young and young at heart gathered around Old Saint Nick, and had photos taken with him.
Kevin Coughlin, the president of the Lowell Sun Charities, said the Sun Santa Family Christmas Party is one of the longest-standing traditions with the Sun Santa.
“It really connects generations, because we have the veterans and the older generations that have served in the military and you can see today we have young ones who are bringing the next generation along,” Coughlin said.
Among those in attendance was World War II veteran, Pat Walor, who Coughlin pointed out landed on Omaha Beach during the war.
Siara’s children, Manya and Kristopher Dwornick, were also among the crowd. They sat at a table among a pile of raffle tickets.
“It’s great,” Manya Dwornick said about the event. “It’s something to do with the family. You can win some cool prizes, and the kids can have fun and run around. And I think it’s great that they’re honoring mom, because she was a huge supporter.”
The spirit of giving continues from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, at the Morey School, 130 Pine St., when Mayor Sokhary Chau will host his fourth annual Holiday Drive & Drop event to benefit Sun Santa and to provide toys for local families. U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan will be on hand to cohost the event. Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy and/or a check made out to The Sun Santa Fund.