Nickolaos G. Pappas

Nickolaos G. Pappas passed away peacefully on June 18, 2026 surrounded by his family.  He is survived by his beloved wife Fotini (Bligiannos), his children  George (Maria) and Irene, and the apple of his eye, his grandson, Nikolaos.

Nickolaos, or Nick as he was called most often, was born in Demati, Ioanninon, in the spring of 1944 to George and Maria nee Angelis.  He was the youngest of five siblings growing up in difficult times at the end of World War II and the start of the Greek Civil War.  He attended the elementary school in his village where he literally had the multiple mile walk to school in the snow, and uphill from their neighborhood of Georgopoula. Nick excelled in his lessons and his parents decided that they should help promote this aptitude for learning so they sent him to board with another Demati family in Ioannina for high school, the family of Demetrios Botsaris who would later become a very dear friend.

After high school, and his required military service, Nick attended University of Athens Anotati Emporiki  under the patronage of his uncles, Konstantinos and Efthimios Pappas.  There he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1970.  During that time, he met his life long best friend, Pantelis Tsaknakis, who would later become his koumbaro.  Nick and Panteli were roommates, lived a fun student life and attended every Panathinaiko game they could.

After finishing school, Nick decided to to follow his siblings to the United States for better opportunities.  He spent the 1970’s working hard and saving money.  In 1977 he went back to Greece and was introduced to the love of his life, Fotini, through a mutual friend.  They married that December and came back to the U.S.A to begin their life and start a family.  They welcomed George in 1980 and Irene in 1981. 

Nick was devoted to his family, working from home once he opened his own accounting and Real Estate business alongside his wife, and spending as much time as he could with his wife and children.  He worked hard to take care of his family and to help his parents back in Greece.  Nick took pride in his children’s milestones, as they grew and learned, graduating high school and eventually college with their Master’s degrees, moving on to successful careers.  He was particularly proud when his son brought home a nice Greek girl, Maria Katelas, to marry and start a family with. 

Nick loved returning to Greece every summer with his family, always finding new places to visit  around the country.  He was passionate about where he was from.  Nick resuscitated the Demation Brotherhood of Philadelphia in the late 1970’s filing the Articles of Incorporation and eventually serving on its board in multiple roles.  He was long time member and highly involved parishioner of  St. George Cathedral, helping Philoptochos tirelessly when his wife and daughter both served as President. 

Nick worked late into his life, only stopping when his health required it. He was a generous and kind soul with a great sense of humor.  Always with a smile, maybe a little teasing but never in malice.  Nick will be missed dearly by his family and friends, and always be remembered for his warmth, kindness, and love.

Family and friends are invited to view Wednesday June 24, 2026 from 10-11am at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 256 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107.  His funeral service will begin promptly at 11am.  Interment to follow in Laurel Hill East Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Nickaolos' name be made to the Cathedral.

Due to extremely restrictive parking in front of the Cathedral, guests will be required to find parking on their own.  Please come to the front of the church and a Vraim Funeral Home Associate will guide you.

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