Leon G Nikiforakis

Leon George Nikiforakis 91, a resident of Swanzey, NH and later a resident of Keene, NH for 68 years passed away peacefully on May 5, 2025 at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care in Lebanon, NH following a short period of declining health. He was surrounded by his family when he passed.

Leon was born in Swanzey, NH on March 27, 1934, the son of George and Katherine Nikiforakis. He was the eighth child of his family but was the only one born on the Riverside Farm in Swanzey. He attended Cutler Elementary School in Swanzey and graduated from Keene high School in 1952.

Leon’s first job was at the family restaurant, Nick’s Diner. After graduating high school, Leon worked at the former Central Screw Company in the tool room until 1983. Leon proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955 and was assigned to the 34th Signal Battalion at the 7th Corps Headquarters as a radio operator in the United States’ occupation of Germany. He was discharged honorably. After Central Screw closed, he worked at Markem Corporation as a machinist until he retired in 1999.

Leon was a passionate outdoor enthusiast who loved working in his garden, growing vegetables, doing yard work, and washing his cars. Leon also loved playing his baritone horn in the Drum Corps. He played in the West Swanzey Drum Corps, Kingsmen Drum Corps, and Scarlet Marauders Senior Drum Corps. He was very active in the West Swanzey Athletic Association, VFW Post 799, American Legion Post 4, and the West Swanzey VFW Post 2616, where he was commander from 1962-1964.

He was also a member of the Keene High School Class of 1952 reunion committee, and he enjoyed all of his committee friends and members. Leon was a devout catholic and member of the St. Margaret Mary Church since 1958 where he was on the Pastoral Council and was an usher.

Leon is survived by his faithful and devoted wife of 68 years, Shirley (Aiken) Nikiforakis. They were married on January 11, 1958. He is also survived by his daughters Bonita Nikiforakis of Keene and Karen Perkins and her husband, Michael of Vernon, VT; his grandchildren Karissa Perkins and her husband Dan and Nicholas McPherson. He is also survived by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close friends and neighbors. He was predeceased by his father, mother, brother Peter, and sisters Helen, Dicka, Elizabeth, Lillian, Evelyn, and Calliope.

Family and friends are invited to call on Monday, May 19, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 11:00am in St. Margaret Mary Church, 33 Arch Street, Keene. Burial with committal prayers and military honors will follow the funeral mass in the Monadnock View Cemetery, Park Avenue, Keene.

For those who wish, donations may be made in Mr. Nikiforakis’ memory to the Parish of the Holy Spirit, 173 Main Street, Keene, NH 03431; or to St. Vincent De Paul, c/o the Parish of the Holy Spirit, 173 Main Street, Keene, NH 03431.