Obituary of Nicholas J Psarakos

Nicholas Psarakos

July 30, 1929 – September 21, 2023

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Nicholas Psarakos.  Nicholas passed away peacefully at home, as he wished, in the Washington Heights apartment he had lived in for more than 60 years. Nicholas was born on July 30, 1929 in a 4th-floor walk up at 33rd and Third to parents John Psarakos, who emigrated from Mani during the great migration years before WWI, and Arhontoula née Balitsaris. The family settled on Audubon Avenue in Washington Heights in the early 40's and with the exception of a couple of absences Nicholas remained a life-long Heights resident the rest of his life. As a young adult he involved himself with the then thriving St. Spyridon community where he was a Sunday School teacher and member of the Omegas. After graduating George Washington High School (Class of '47) he attended Adelphi College where he received a degree in Psychology. Immediately after graduation he was drafted and proudly served in the Korean Conflict.  After the war and the untimely death of his father he moved to Greece where he served as a translator and clerk at the American Embassy in Athens. Upon his return to the States the family settled back on Audubon Avenue (until they were driven out by Robert Moses and his Trans-Manhattan Expressway). After a couple of clerical jobs he ended up in the travel business where he remained most of his working life. A true partier with a passion for the more Eastern side of our Greek heritage and music he spent most weekend nights (and mornings) down on "Bouzouki Boulevard" - 29th Street off 8th at the Egyptian Gardens or Port Said. He was a lifetime collector with a passion for jewelry and fine art and spent countless weekends usually with his best friend and partner in crime, Dr. Jimmy Koutroulakos, scouring Chelsea Flea Markets, Upper East Side thrift shops or attending the auctions at Lubin's or Doyle's.  This passion continued till the day he died and beyond... Just this morning he received an alert on eBay telling him that he was outbid on a men's ring.  Besides his nephew George Morfessis, niece Eftihia Thomopoulos, and his grand niece & nephew Victor and Stella he leaves behind several god-children and countless extended cousins, nieces and nephews here and in Greece.  He also leaves behind a great number of neighbors on 171st who tended to him as they would their father or grandfather.

For those of you who can join us arrangements are below:

Wake Visitation

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Riverdale Funeral Home

5044 Broadway

Funeral Service

12:00 pm

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church

124 Wadsworth Avenue

Please join the zoom for the Visitation and the Funeral Service by clicking on the word Link below:

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When joining a zoom, enter the meeting ID number: 2129424000 You will then be asked to enter the password: 2129424000

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You can also use the link to attend the zoom meeting.