Nicholas George Perris

Born: March 5, 1927; in New York City, N.Y.
Die: May 4, 2011; in St. Charles

BATAVIA – Nicholas "Nick" George Perris, 84, died on Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at Rosewood Care Center in St. Charles due to complications from COPD and pneumonia.

Nick was born on March 5, 1927, in New York City, N.Y., to George Perris and Penelope Chrissakis Perris, who immigrated to the United States from Greece. He was very proud of his Greek heritage.

Nick was the second of three boys and the family lived in various "cold water flats" in Harlem and later the Bronx. He loved telling stories about his childhood, saying "we were poor, but we didn't know it." During the late 1990s he wrote extensive family histories detailing the adventures, challenges, and triumphs of family life in New York City during the 1920s and 1930s. He described with great relish helping in his father's shoe repair shop, rooftop kite battles, games of stickball, and homemade "push-o" pushcart races of his early years. He also loved talking about how frugal, hardworking, and resourceful people were in those days, traits he continued to exhibit throughout his life.

Nick joined the Navy in 1944 and was placed on a submarine tender as a radioman due to his fast typing skills. After World War II ended, Nick was stationed at the U.S. Navy Bureau of Supplies and Accounts in Cleveland, Ohio. It was there that he met Gloria Adams, a "ravishing beauty" working in the payroll department, and instantly fell completely in love. He courted her determinedly and won her over quickly; he proposed 13 days after they met and she accepted. They were married on her birthday, May 4, 1946, and Nick was honorably discharged from the Navy that August.

The couple relocated to Chicago in 1946 where Nick attended college classes and Gloria got another job in the Navy payroll department. Nick secured his first full time employment with AB Dick Company in 1951 as a technician, testing lithography equipment. Sadly, this was also the year he lost his beloved father to cancer. During these years in Chicago, Nick and Gloria made some of their best and longest-term friends.

In 1956, Gloria gave birth to their daughter, Diane, and while Nick was overjoyed, he also regretted that his father never lived to dote on his granddaughter.

The couple relocated to the Chicago suburb of Carpentersville in 1957 and Nick continued to work for AB Dick, where he was promoted to Developmental Engineer. His career took him eventually to Eaton Corporation, where he was promoted to Manager of Information Systems and kept everyone entertained with his collection of humorous cartoons titled "Nick's Cartoon Corner."

During their years in Carpentersville, Nick was completely dedicated to his wife and daughter, and made it his life's purpose to provide for their needs and wants. He would often take additional jobs when the family required more income, in addition to doing all the home and property repairs and maintenance. He was so naturally good at all these things that he became the "go-to" guy in the neighborhood, helping other families with their home projects.

He also developed a reputation for being incredibly organized and tidy and took much gentle ribbing through his life from his dear friends in Carpentersville for these traits, which he shared with Gloria. She in turn devoted herself to homemaking and motherhood, and absolutely adored raising Diane with Nick.

In 1986, following the death of his mother, the couple moved to Batavia, where Nick proudly bought Gloria what she described as her dream home. They continued to enjoy their lives there until July 31, 1995, when Gloria passed away from cancer. This was a devastating blow, but Nick forwarded on despite being deeply saddened over losing his beloved wife so shortly before his retirement in October of 1995. He found solace, purpose, and new friendships by becoming involved with a local Hospice group, the Weavers. A fall in 2006 limited his mobility but not his humor, helpfulness, and determination to be of service. He continued to reach out to others, find pleasure in the small things, and dote on his daughter until his rejoined Gloria and their beloved dogs Pixie, BJ, Pippin, and Buphie, on the date of what would have been their 65th wedding anniversary.

Nick will be remembered and missed always for his unwavering desire to help others, his ability to provide laughter and comfort, and his dedication to family, friends, and animals.

Nick is survived by his daughter, Diane Perris of Madison, Wis., and her life partner, Chuck Weidenbach; his nephew, George Perris; George's mother, Irene; his niece, Penny, and her children; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, George Perris; his mother, Penelope (Chrissakis) Perris; his brothers, Pandilis and Angelo Perris; and his wife, Gloria.

A memorial service will be held for Nick at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at Yurs Funeral Home, 405 E. Main St., St. Charles, following a visitation from 1 to 3 p.m.

A heartfelt thanks is given to the caring doctors and nurses at Delnor Hospital and to the staff at Rosewood Care Center in St. Charles.

Donations in Nick's name may be made to Homes for Endangered and Lost Pets (H.E.L.P) at www.helpinganimals.org, or P.O. Box 972, St. Charles, IL 60174.

Arrangements were handled by Yurs Funeral Home of St. Charles. For more information, call 630-584-0060 or sign the guest book at www.yursfuneralhomes.com.