Nicodemos E. Economos

A man of deep faith, quiet humility, unwavering integrity, and boundless generosity, Nick devoted his life to serving God, his family, his country, and the Greek community he loved. Whether leading worship as a chanter, ensuring the safety of America's nuclear power plants through his work with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, welcoming visitors to the Atlanta Greek Festival, or simply sharing wisdom and kindness with family and friends, he lived each day with grace, compassion, and purpose.

Nick was born in Athens, Greece, on July 26, 1933. His mother, Marsoula, was born on the island of Mykonos before moving to Athens at the age of ten. His father, Emanuel, was born on the beautiful island of Fournoi in the Ikaria island group. Although he grew up in Athens, Nick spent every summer on Fournoi and always considered himself an islander at heart.

During the German occupation of Greece in World War II, Nick's father was working in the United States and was unable to return home after travel and communication between the two countries were severed. Nick, his mother, his brother Michael, and his sister Cleo sought refuge on the island of Mykonos, where they lived with family through the difficult years of the war. In 1946, when Nick was fourteen years old, the family emigrated to the United States aboard a U.S. Marine transport ship and settled in Worcester, Massachusetts, beginning a new chapter filled with hope and opportunity.

Nick attended school in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he excelled both academically and athletically. A gifted soccer player, he was a star on the Worcester Academy soccer team. He later graduated from Marietta College with a degree in Chemistry before beginning his career with The Timken Company in Canton, Ohio. Always committed to learning, he continued his education in engineering at The Ohio State University.

While serving as a chanter at the Greek Orthodox Church in Massillon, Ohio, Nick met the love of his life, Maryann, a devoted member of the church choir. They married and shared fifty-six wonderful years together, building a home centered on faith, family, and love.

In 1972, Nick accepted a position with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission as a construction inspector overseeing nuclear power plant projects throughout the southern United States. His education in chemistry and engineering uniquely prepared him for the role. The position brought the family to Atlanta, where he proudly served until his retirement in 1999. Nick loved the United States and was deeply grateful for the opportunities it provided his family after World War II. He took great pride in serving his country through nearly three decades with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Although he enjoyed a distinguished professional career, Nick's greatest calling remained his faith. For 52 years, he faithfully served as Head Chanter of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in Atlanta. His beautiful, unmistakable voice became part of the spiritual lives of generations of parishioners, leading countless Divine Liturgies, Holy Week services, baptisms, weddings, and funerals. His unwavering devotion reflected a lifetime of humility, faith, and service.

Nick's love for his Greek heritage extended far beyond the church walls. For more than fifty years, he and his family operated the Bakaliko at the Atlanta Greek Festival, where he joyfully shared the foods, traditions, and hospitality of Greece with generations of festival guests. Through his warm smile, gentle spirit, and genuine hospitality, generations came to know and love him simply as "Baba." To thousands of people, he wasn't just the man behind the Bakaliko—he embodied the warmth, generosity, and welcoming spirit of Greece itself.

Above every accomplishment in his life, Nick measured his success not by titles or achievements, but by his faith, his family, and his ability to serve others. He was a loving husband, a devoted father, and a deeply cherished grandfather whose wisdom, kindness, and quiet example shaped the lives of those who loved him.

Nick is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Maryann; his two sons, Jimmy and Theo; their wives, Leah and Brittney; his cherished grandchildren, Madeleiene, Rosalia, and Michael; his sister-in-law, Thea Jones; and many beloved nieces and nephews in Ohio and Broomall, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Cleo, and his brother, Michael.

For fifty-two years, the faithful of Atlanta looked toward the chanter's stand and heard Nick's voice lead the prayers of the Church. That voice comforted families in times of joy and sorrow, celebrated baptisms and weddings, and offered prayers at countless Divine Liturgies and funerals. Today, while that cherished voice has fallen silent in the Cathedral he loved, its echoes will forever remain in the hearts of those who heard it. Nick will be remembered for his unwavering faith, his love of family, his devotion to the Church, his pride in his Greek heritage, his love for the Atlanta Braves, and the beautiful voice that graced all who heard it.

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Matthew 25:23

May his memory be eternal.

Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη.