Nick Achilles Nickolas
October 27, 1927 - August 4, 2015
Obituary
Nick A. NICKOLAS
Born to Achilles and Pauline Nickolas on 10/27/1927 in Tacoma, WA. Nick went to the Lord on 08/04/2015 in Redmond, WA.
Nick and his brother, Chris, were raised by their parents in Tacoma until the untimely death of his father when he was 11. At that time Nick’s uncle, John Christ, came to live with the family and raised the boys.
Nick graduated from Tacoma Lincoln High School in 1945 and College of Puget Sound (UPS) where he was instrumental in founding a chapter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Nick went on to become an Elementary School teacher. After a few years of teaching Nick received a Fullbright Scholarship to teach in Greece. Aboard the ship to Greece he met his future wife, Nitsa Rallis of Sioux Falls, SD, who was also on a Fullbright. They wed in 1955 and made their home in Bellevue. Nick went on to receive his Master’s in education from Seattle University. He taught in the Highline, Bellevue and Kent school districts. He developed a program for students with special needs that was adopted by school districts throughout the country. He spent many years as a counselor where he impacted numerous lives. He was very active in the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption where he served many years on the parish council and also as president.
Our dad was a true family man, he attended all of our school activities and made each of us feel as if we were favorite. Nicks wife, Nitsa, the love of his life went to the Lord in 2002.
He is survived by daughter Paula Jean Nickolas and her partner, Steve Fierstein, Los Angeles, son Chris Rallis Nickolas and Lisa, Phoenix, AZ, son Deacon Mark Nickolas, PHD, Lynn, MA, and Vasiliki Nickolas and partner Shawn Burke, Redmond, WA and grandchildren, Thea, Eva and Sophia Nickolas.
Trisagion, 7:00 PM Thursday, August 6, 2015 at Bonney-Watson, 1732 Broadway, Seattle. Funeral service, 11:00 AM, August 7, 2015 at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption, 1804 – 13th Avenue, Seattle.
Condolences to you children, but your father led a long and productive life. He lived his Christian beliefs, and was a positive example for the community and all who knew him.
I was so glad to see his accomplishments mentioned –he certainly made a difference. .
We first met in college days, and connections over the years with him and Nitsa sometimes were interrupted by distance, but it was a lasting friendship nevertheless.
Sorry we cannot get to the service today.
We are truly saddened by the loss of your father. Know our hearts and prayers are with you. In sympathy, Greg and Vicky
Dear Paula, Chris, Mark, and Vickie and families, Today is August 12, and we only just learned of your beloved father’s passing. May the memory of Nick Achilles Nickolas be eternal. We have such warm memories of you and your dad when we had the pleasure of being with you at dinners at the home of Mark and Lil McDermott. Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your dad.
I will remember Papa Nik as one of the most sincere men I’ve ever met. He genuinely cared for people, and wanted the best for all of his kids. It was always a pleasure when he joined us at dinner as his smile was so infectious. We hold many memories of him sharing stories, thank you for letting us be a part of his life. My condolences go out to the family.
In loving memory of our beloved uncle and nouno,
to his faithful children and our dear cousins,
all our love and sympathy,
Meli, Connie and Bruce
What a great man he was. I remember when they came to Sioux Falls and Nick always made me feel like I was special. I thought about him often. Nitsa, too.
So sorry to read about the passing of Nick. He, his wife Nitsa and their children were long time friends of my parents and us. Nick was always very welcoming, kind, gentle, friendly and a joy to talk to. I remember the elaborate food spreads they would always have ready for us.
I fell out of contact once my parents passed. I hope the all the family is doing well.