Nick was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth, and is survived by his loving companion, Vera Kakares, and his four children, Mike (Vickie), Greg (Margaret), Matt, and Katherine and his grandchildren, Nicholas, Alexander, Maggie, and Allie. Brother of George (Joan).

Nick led a full life as an Air Force Intelligence Officer (spy) in the Korean War, as a teacher of English and Russian at Detroit Henry Ford High School, a golfer for 75 years, a golf coach, a runner, a world traveler, a supporter of the Democratic Party, a high roller at the casino, and especially a loving father who provided for his family and supported his children and grandchildren throughout their lives. He grew up in Detroit and was known as Nicky 2 Points for his deadly jump shot. His basketball teams from the late 1940s to early 1960s were a source of enjoyment for him and his 1963 team won the National Hellenic Invitational Tournament in Chicago. After high school graduation in 1949, he did odd jobs for a year (elevator operator, gas jockey, ice man) and then enlisted in the Air Force in 1950. He entered the Army Language School, later named The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, and learned Russian for six months. He has always had an affinity for learning languages and was fluent in Russian and Greek and knew a smattering of others. After the six months, he became a spy (Intelligence Officer) and rode in an RB-45 airplane and flew up and down the Russian coast listening in on military broadcasts from the Russian military. After he was honorably discharged in 1954, he entered Wayne State University on the G.I. bill and obtained his bachelor and Master's degrees in English and Russian. He met his wife, Elizabeth, there and they married in 1958. He taught at Henry Ford High School from 1960-1996. For six weeks during the summers of 1963-1966 he was in Alaska fishing for crab and lobsters for his uncle's fishing company to make extra money.

He was a golfer from the age of 17 until he was 92, 75 years, had 3 holes in one, broke 12 clubs and was very competitive on the course. His last round of golf was a scramble at The Lakes of Taylor this past July and the team used over half of his shots and his last shot on their last hole was a birdie to finish his career. He was very dedicated to his students and rarely took a day off and when he retired, he cashed in over 240 sick days. He started his running career in 1970 and continued through 2005, when he became a fast walker. He completed four marathons; including The Boston Marathon. His best time was three hours and twenty-six minutes. He was an usher at Tiger Stadium from 1985-1999, when the stadium closed. He met his beautiful companion, Vera, in 1998, and they started dating. They had known each other as children in the same neighborhood. In Vera he found a fellow traveler, and a fellow gambler and enjoyed twenty-five years of life with her. He also was fond of blowing money on the lottery, specifically his number, 731. Our father was energetic and his life was spirited and far reaching. He was always there for us and loved us unconditionally. We will miss you, Dad, we love you so much and until we meet again!

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Wounded Warrior Project