1/21/1963 -7/3/2020
Nicholas Drivas was born on January 21, 1963 in Winter Park, Florida to Stanley and Camile Drivas. At a young age his family relocated to Falls Church, Virginia. He graduated from JEB Stuart High School where he created lifelong friendships, lettered in football and found his passion for automobiles and airplanes.
Nick followed his passion after graduation and went to Bloomfield, Colorado to pursue what was the beginning of a wonderful career in Aviation. It was there that he received his Airframe and Powerplant License. He then moved to Daytona Beach, Florida to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he got his commercial instrument pilots license as well as a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology. During his time in Daytona Beach he enjoyed working on old Convair planes and flying second seat. He also loved working on his shallow V boat, water skiing and going to the beach.
After graduating from Embry-Riddle, Nick became a Field Service Rep for GE aircraft engines which took him to Ohio, Texas and Malaysia. Then he was off to Honolulu for a position in planning at Hawaiian Airlines. It was a definite Hawaiian adventure on the island because he liked to hike, snorkel and kayak to small islands off shore. He also had an opportunity to fly on an experimental aircraft over the north shore.
Nick went on to work for more amazing airlines, from start-up Morris Air in Salt Lake City, Utah to Southwest Airlines in Dallas, Texas. Where he mentored and lead colleagues. While in Texas, Nick received his Master in Business Administration from the University of Dallas.
Nick’s career then brought him to Orlando, Florida to work at AirTran Airways followed by LiveTV (subsidiary of JetBlue). During his time at LiveTV he was known as the Bird Man for one of his most proud moments, being able to bring wifi to the sky.
It was in Orlando, where Nick decided to leave the corporate world and venture out starting his own successful aviation consulting business, The Drivas Group, LLC.
Nick loved to pass time on his airplane chairs in his garage and have conversations with his daughters, their friends, his friends and neighbors; about his life adventures, aviation, books he’s read or was reading and any type of music or musicians. He could talk about anything, he would motivate people and mentor them. He would play cards, smoke a cigar (“gigar”) and sip on a Sambuca with three (no more, no less) coffee beans.
Nick provided an incredible life and experiences for his family. Christmas trips to Vail, travels around France and Italy, skiing, fishing, you name it he probably took them to do it. He was also well known for his 4th of July parties which had pig roasts, large fireworks displays, a lot of Bud Lights and the grapefruit shots, were all things that made his
parties one of a kind. He would most likely be wearing a t-shirt with a funny joke or saying on it while serving the pig.
Nick is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Drivas and Nicole Drivas.
Nick Drivas, super genius, you will be missed!
The funeral service will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church on August 12th at 10:30 a.m. Due to Covid-19 and limited seating, attendance is by RSVP only. If you would like to attend, please call/text his daughter Elizabeth Drivas at (646) 228-5529.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.1