Nicholas Pelis

"Uncle Nick” — Nicholas Pelis  (2/24/1927 - 5/22/2024)

He was "Uncle Nick" to everyone, and he left a mark on everyone he knew. Many thought of him as a real life “St. Nick” because of his generosity to so many people. He cared most about his family and community and less about material things. His joy was in blessing others.

Born to a Greek family in South Philadelphia, Nick was the youngest of three. He had two older sisters, Felia and Mary, who adored him! His parents, Bessie and Mike Pelis, were immigrants from Greece, who spoke very little English.They worked hard and sacrificed in order to provide a life with opportunity for their children in America. To pay the mortgage on their Spruce St. home, they lived on the first floor and had renters living on the second. Extended family lived nearby, and Nick was close to his cousins, Jimmy and John Kotakis and John “Jackie” Padusis. Nick and his sisters had good memories of growing up in Philadelphia,

Nick served his country in World War II as a parachutist and gliderman and was awarded a Victory Medal. He became an accomplished boxer and was often referred to as “One Punch Pelis” due to his strength and sparring reputation. Nick was a proud veteran, who later served as a Commander in Chief of VFW Eleftheria Post 6633.  

In his mid-20’s, Nick worked in a supermarket and then at a local butcher shop. After years of work and saving, he opened his own business. It was called “Uncle Nick’s Meats”, a butcher shop located on Chester Ave in West Philadelphia. Over the next decade, Nick bought the adjoining properties, opened his first supermarket, and expanded his business throughout the area. He also invested in real estate and had several rental properties. 

During his life, Nick was focused on good health - physically, mentally and emotionally.  He exercised daily and was careful about eating. He enjoyed reading and kept journals  filled with thoughts about kindness, God, family, and love. And, he loved to sing.

In his later years, Nick married his lifetime sweetheart, Betty Brown. The two loved to go dancing, spent time at the Jersey shore and were socially active.  He passed away Wednesday, May 22nd, several months after his wife’s death, peacefully and without pain in his sleep. 

Nick was a hard working businessman and a very generous person who was the life of every party. He will be greatly missed  — in particular, by his big fun family.  This obituary can hardly do justice to our beloved “Uncle Nick”, a man who touched many, many lives. 

Honoring Nick

When Nick Pelis was a child, he was given the opportunity to go to "College Settlement Farm Camp" in the summer. He distinctly remembers feeling the presence of an angel  over him at the springhouse and often praised the tranquility of being in nature  - whether at the shore, the Pocono mountains or the park along the Delaware River in Essington. Consider giving another child the opportunity to experience nature in a life-changing way. In lieu of flowers, make a donation in his honor to the College Settlement of Philadelphia (or "Farm Camp" as Nick liked to call it).   https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E96818&id=12

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nicholas Pelis, please visit our floral store.