Nicholas A. Woutas

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Nicholas Woutas, 78, of St. George, a retired geologist who is remembered for his joyfulness and zest for life, died Friday at his brother's home in Merrimac, Wis., of a heart attack. He was there to attend his 60th high school reunion in nearby Madison.

Born in Patras, Greece, Mr. Woutas was in his teens when he immigrated to Madison in 1951 and graduated from high school there. He earned his bachelor of science degree in geology from the University of Wisconsin, also Madison, and received his master's degree in geology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Mr. Woutas had a brief stint as a science teacher at Biloxi (Miss.) High School and biology lab professor at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. He then became a geologist with Exxon, and worked for the company for 29 years in Lafayette, La., New Orleans, London and Singapore. He retired from the company in Houston in 1994.

In 2004, Mr. Woutas purchased a home in St. George in order to be closer to his sons, and since then had divided his time between St. George and Houston.

Never taking a moment for granted, "He lived life to the absolute fullest," said his daughter-in-law, Donna Woutas.

Mr. Woutas' boundless energy, enthusiasm and playful sense of humor delighted others. He enjoyed traveling, playing golf, photography, and genealogy, and had compiled a well-researched record of his Greek heritage.

He was extremely close to his family, near and far, and took particular delight in his grandson, Aidan.

Mr. Woutas volunteered for the Golfers Against Cancer Association, and was a member and past president of the Exxon Mobil Retiree Club, serving as president in 1999.

His first wife of 39 years, the former Effie Apostolou, died in 2004.

Surviving, along with his grandson, are his wife of six years, the former Lisbeth (Betsy) Bronson; his sons, Nicholas Jr. and Alexis, and his brothers, Dean and Dimitri.

The funeral will be Thursday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a graveside ceremony at 10 a.m. in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp, followed by burial.