Albright College mourns the passing of Christ G. “Chris” Kraras ’69, who died on March 23, 2026, at the age of 79. A proud son of Reading, a devoted 30-year member of the Albright Board of Trustees, and one of the most generous philanthropists in the college’s history, Chris Kraras gave Albright not only his resources but his heart.
His loss is felt deeply by every corner of the Albright community. Just weeks before his passing, Kraras had accepted the role of honorary chairman of the college’s inaugural Shine Bright Albright Gala, scheduled for April 16 — a celebration of the institution he loved.
“Our campus family has lost a giant,” said President Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D. “Chris was more than a benefactor; he was a visionary who never forgot where his journey began. We were looking forward to him welcoming us all at our upcoming gala, and we are heartbroken that he will not be there to see the full impact of his immeasurable and lasting influence on Albright.”
Kraras’s relationship with Albright College began before he ever set foot in a classroom. He grew up across the street from campus, in a home that his family later transformed into The College Inn, a restaurant that became a gathering place for generations of Albright students, faculty and staff. Surrounded by that community from childhood, Kraras knew early on that Albright was where he belonged.
In his own words, shared in a recent interview: “I was raised across the street from Albright College, in what was then our house but is now Pizza Italia. I was in love with Albright from a young age, and as I grew up, it was a goal of mine to someday attend. I had a dream come true when they accepted me.”
He fulfilled that dream with the Class of 1969 and never stopped giving back to the institution that had shaped him.
After graduating from Albright, Kraras co-founded White Star Tours in Shillington with his father in 1970. Alongside building the business, he also dedicated himself to education as a high school teacher in the Daniel Boone School District. By the 1980s, White Star Tours had grown into a thriving enterprise, and Kraras turned his full attention to leading the company. Under his stewardship as CEO, President and Chairman, White Star Tours continued to grow and stands as a testament to his entrepreneurial vision.
In October 2025, Albright honored Kraras’s extraordinary generosity by renaming the Rockland Hall student residence Kraras Hall, a permanent tribute to his steadfast support and transformational philanthropy. He was also recognized with the college’s highest honor, the Jacob Albright Award, in acknowledgment of his decades of commitment to student success.
Kraras championed scholarships, invested in campus improvements, and worked actively through the Board of Trustees to ensure that Albright would thrive for generations of students to come.
His generosity extended well beyond Albright’s campus. He served as Vice President of the Reading Education Foundation Board, as a board member of the Reading Hospital Foundation, and as a former Sunday School director and teacher at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. He was a former chairman of the United Way of Berks County, where he and his late wife Ann served together as campaign co-chairs. He also served as a former board member of Tower Health, Berks Encore, Centro Hispano Daniel Torres and Experience Reading & Berks County.
In every role, Kraras brought the same quiet commitment he showed Albright: the understanding that community is built through sustained presence, generosity and genuine care for others.
A visitation and memorial service will be held beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 30 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading. Full details may be found on the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home website, www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
