Obituary for Alkis C. "Al" Makrides
Alkis Chrysanthou (Al) Makrides was born on October 7, 1929, in Famagusta, Cyprus to
Chrysanthos Savvas and Elli Makrides. On the evening of February 15, 2022, he died
peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his home in Newton Centre, MA. Al is survived
by his beloved wife, Maryjane Makrides (neé MacLaren), of 44 years. Al was a loving father
and father-in-law to his daughters, Victoria (Klaus Hoyer), Veblen, and Elizabeth (Benjamin
Tarshis). He was also a proud grandfather to his five grandchildren, Paul Green (Jane
Malcolm), Gelando Makrides Beltrani, Jack, Charlie, and Vivian Makrides Tarshis; and two
great-grandchildren, Lucas and Milo Malcolm Green. Al was predeceased by his dear sister,
Sylva Bowlby (neé Makrides).
As a child, Al was an avid swimmer and credited his lifelong physical and mental stamina to
his early daily habit of swimming more than a mile a day in Mediterranean Sea off the coast
of his home in Limassol, Cyprus. The son of two physicians, Al learned his love of the
sciences and of chemistry, in particular, at an early age and graduated with honors from the
Greek Gymnasium of Limassol. In 1947 he immigrated to the US to attend the University of
Texas, Austin (UTA), he was later joined by his sister, Sylva. Al graduated Phi Beta Kappa
with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Chemistry in 1951, and in 1957 he earned his Doctor of
Philosophy degree from UTA.
In his career, Al was an innovative researcher and inventor, holding multiple patents, and a
successful businessman and entrepreneur. During his early career, he worked for a number
of oil and technology companies before branching out in 1971 to found EIC Laboratories,
which is a research and development corporation serving government and industrial clients
worldwide. In 1980, with his wife Maryjane, he established Bascom-Turner Instruments,
which manufactures cutting edge gas detectors. In 1998, a third successful company,
InPhotonics, emerged to provide Spectroscopy services. Finally, in 2010 Avion Power was
created to develop and manufacture advanced battery systems. Al will be greatly missed by
the wonderful community at Bascom-Turner Instruments, EIC Biomedical, EIC Laboratories,
InPhotonics and Avion Power.
Al was deeply engaged in many pursuits; he was an avid reader with an extensive library of
classical and contemporary literature. He enjoyed the novels of Thomas Mann, the poetry of
Emily Dickinson, the plays of Tom Stoppard, and the capers of Archy and Mehitabel. He
especially enjoyed history and was deeply knowledgeable about everything from ancient
Greek history to modern American politics. He enjoyed attending the theater, and the
symphony, opera and other musical productions. Les Miserables was a special favorite.
Like all good Bostonians, he loved sports and made sure to watch all the Pats games. True
to the Makrides family legacy, Al enjoyed vigorous debates on many topics, and his wit and
humor always came through. He spent hours tending to his plants – indoors and out – and
was greatly rejuvenated by retreats with Maryjane, Elizabeth and family and friends to their
lovely and serene home overlooking the Sheepscot River in Boothbay, Maine.
In all aspects of his life, Al was a kind and generous person who will be deeply missed by his
family and friends in all the communities that he touched with his thoughtful and caring
presence.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Al’s favorite charities:
Smile Train at https://donate.smiletrain.org/givenow, or call 1-800-932-9541 or write Smile
Train, 633 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017.
Pacific Legal Foundation at https://pacificlegal. or call (202) 888-6881 or write Pacific
Legal Foundation, 3100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 610, Arlington, VA 22201.
Campaign for Catholic Schools at https://campaignforcatholicschools.org or call (817) 262-
5600 or write 66 Brooks Drive Braintree, MA 02184
Arrangements: Burke & Blackington Funeral Home
Visitation: Monday 3-6 PM at Burke & Blackington Funeral Home,
1479 Washington St, West Newton, MA 02465.
Funeral and Burial services: Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 10 AM in the Chapel at the Newton
Cemetery & Arboretum, 791 Walnut St, Newton Center, MA 02459.
Chrysanthos Savvas and Elli Makrides. On the evening of February 15, 2022, he died
peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his home in Newton Centre, MA. Al is survived
by his beloved wife, Maryjane Makrides (neé MacLaren), of 44 years. Al was a loving father
and father-in-law to his daughters, Victoria (Klaus Hoyer), Veblen, and Elizabeth (Benjamin
Tarshis). He was also a proud grandfather to his five grandchildren, Paul Green (Jane
Malcolm), Gelando Makrides Beltrani, Jack, Charlie, and Vivian Makrides Tarshis; and two
great-grandchildren, Lucas and Milo Malcolm Green. Al was predeceased by his dear sister,
Sylva Bowlby (neé Makrides).
As a child, Al was an avid swimmer and credited his lifelong physical and mental stamina to
his early daily habit of swimming more than a mile a day in Mediterranean Sea off the coast
of his home in Limassol, Cyprus. The son of two physicians, Al learned his love of the
sciences and of chemistry, in particular, at an early age and graduated with honors from the
Greek Gymnasium of Limassol. In 1947 he immigrated to the US to attend the University of
Texas, Austin (UTA), he was later joined by his sister, Sylva. Al graduated Phi Beta Kappa
with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Chemistry in 1951, and in 1957 he earned his Doctor of
Philosophy degree from UTA.
In his career, Al was an innovative researcher and inventor, holding multiple patents, and a
successful businessman and entrepreneur. During his early career, he worked for a number
of oil and technology companies before branching out in 1971 to found EIC Laboratories,
which is a research and development corporation serving government and industrial clients
worldwide. In 1980, with his wife Maryjane, he established Bascom-Turner Instruments,
which manufactures cutting edge gas detectors. In 1998, a third successful company,
InPhotonics, emerged to provide Spectroscopy services. Finally, in 2010 Avion Power was
created to develop and manufacture advanced battery systems. Al will be greatly missed by
the wonderful community at Bascom-Turner Instruments, EIC Biomedical, EIC Laboratories,
InPhotonics and Avion Power.
Al was deeply engaged in many pursuits; he was an avid reader with an extensive library of
classical and contemporary literature. He enjoyed the novels of Thomas Mann, the poetry of
Emily Dickinson, the plays of Tom Stoppard, and the capers of Archy and Mehitabel. He
especially enjoyed history and was deeply knowledgeable about everything from ancient
Greek history to modern American politics. He enjoyed attending the theater, and the
symphony, opera and other musical productions. Les Miserables was a special favorite.
Like all good Bostonians, he loved sports and made sure to watch all the Pats games. True
to the Makrides family legacy, Al enjoyed vigorous debates on many topics, and his wit and
humor always came through. He spent hours tending to his plants – indoors and out – and
was greatly rejuvenated by retreats with Maryjane, Elizabeth and family and friends to their
lovely and serene home overlooking the Sheepscot River in Boothbay, Maine.
In all aspects of his life, Al was a kind and generous person who will be deeply missed by his
family and friends in all the communities that he touched with his thoughtful and caring
presence.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Al’s favorite charities:
Smile Train at https://donate.smiletrain.org/givenow, or call 1-800-932-9541 or write Smile
Train, 633 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017.
Pacific Legal Foundation at https://pacificlegal. or call (202) 888-6881 or write Pacific
Legal Foundation, 3100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 610, Arlington, VA 22201.
Campaign for Catholic Schools at https://campaignforcatholicschools.org or call (817) 262-
5600 or write 66 Brooks Drive Braintree, MA 02184
Arrangements: Burke & Blackington Funeral Home
Visitation: Monday 3-6 PM at Burke & Blackington Funeral Home,
1479 Washington St, West Newton, MA 02465.
Funeral and Burial services: Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 10 AM in the Chapel at the Newton
Cemetery & Arboretum, 791 Walnut St, Newton Center, MA 02459.