Passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He is predeceased by his parents Demetrios and Roubina Spyratos, brother Stavros Spyratos and Dennis Spyros (Spyratos) of Kefalonia Greece.
Nicholas was born on July 17,1932 in Kefalonia Greece. At the young age of 15 he joined the merchant marines and traveled all over the world. He immigrated to the United States in 1953, where he discovered his passion for cooking. In 1955, he married his lovely wife, Evangeline Bazakis. Together, they raised three children in Niskayuna NY: Stavros Spyratos, Roubina Kustubardis and Demitra Hand.
He embraced his Greek heritage and felt very proud for being afforded the opportunity of becoming an American Citizen. He became a successful restaurant owner in Schenectady, New York. Along with his brother Dennis (Spyratos) Spyros they built, operated, and owned the famous Newest Lunch, Redwood Drive In, Mother Ferro’s Italian Restaurant and the Dolphin Steak House. Nicholas and his son Stavros owned and operated Castello’s Italian Restaurant and Corelli’s Italian Restaurant in Schenectady NY. After his retirement, he moved to Florida where he continued to be involved in the Greek community and was the president of the Kefalonian Society Kefalos for several years.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Evangeline Bazakis Spyratos; son, Stavros; daughters, Roubina Kustubardis (the late Andreas) and Demitra Hand (Peter). Grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Victoria, Amanda, Nicholas, Evangelos, Alexandra, Peter, and Zachary as well as, his great grandchild, Marybeth; brother, Evangelos; sister, Akrivi Markopoulos and many relatives, nieces, and nephews.
Nicholas loved spending his summers in his homeland of Kefalonia in Greece, where he would host many family gatherings and parties and tend to his farm and garden. He also loved to travel, play golf with friends and most of all he loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, great grandchild, and friends. He was a grateful, kind, and humble person who loved his family. He had a contagious sense of humor and was known as “honest Nick”. He always had a joke and story ready to go, whether it was appropriate or not, and found a way to make any word Greek. Nicholas was especially proud of the fact that he was an immigrant who came to the US with nothing in his pockets nor spoke or wrote the English language. No matter the obstacles he faced, he achieved his dream; to have a family, live a good life and be successful. To this day, Nicholas will be remembered for his generosity and unwavering support that made it possible for many of his relatives to find success and prosper in a foreign country. He paved the way for a generation of restaurant owners and was an example of a natural leader and icon among his fellow compatriots. It takes a village to make a business succeed and he was the cornerstone in the untold stories of many successful businesses.
A funeral service for Nicholas will be held Monday, March 28, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at St Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church, 3600 76th St N, St Petersburg, FL 33710. Following the funeral service will be a graveside service from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Garden Sanctuary Cemetery, 7950 131 Street North, Seminole, FL 33776.
In lieu of flowers donate in the memory of Nicholas D. Spyratos to the American Heart Association
Personal Page URL: http://www2.heart.org/goto/Nicholasspyratos
Arrangements were made under the direction of Garden sanctuary Funeral Home, 7950 131st Street, Seminole, FL 33776
