James Nikolis

1933 - 2015

James "Jim" Nikolis, 82, of Windsor, beloved husband of Eleni "Helen" (Lerikos) Nikolis died peacefully on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at the Suffield House, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on April 18, 1933 in Sparta, Greece, the son of Christos and Maria (Karahalios) Nikolis. Jim grew up in Greece and served in the Greek Army. He immigrated to Canada in 1958 and moved to Boston, MA in 1961. He was married to the love of his life, Helen in 1961 and together they settled in Windsor, CT. Jim and his wife were parishioners of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Enfield for over 40 years, before becoming active at St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church in East Longmeadow. Jim and his wife opened Jim's Pizza at 16 Poquonock Ave., in Windsor on March 2, 1966 and moved to the new building and present day location in 1978. Jim and his family have fed the town of Windsor for 50 years and are proud to have helped countless charities and community groups throughout the years with time, food and donations. Jim had the ability to see the good in people and did so even when others couldn't. He was a kind, caring and loving husband, Dad, PaPou, brother, and friend who will be greatly missed. He was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan and cherished the three championships he had the opportunity to see over the years. Along with his wife Helen of over 53 years, he leaves his children, Maria Neyland and her husband John of Boxborough, MA, Christos J. Nikolis and his wife Denise of Suffield and Pamela Nikolis of Suffield; beloved grandchildren, Katie, Julia and Eleni Neyland; Marissa Pinkham; Maggie, Ariana and James Nikolis and two step grandchildren, Kyle and Cameron Pinkham his brother, Steve Nikolis of Somers; his sisters, Sophia Constantopoulos of Lee, MA and Georgia Saledas of Framingham, MA; He was predeceased by his brother, Peter Nikolis. His family will receive friends on Friday, August 14, 2015, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Carmon Windsor Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2015, 12:30 pm, at St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church, 400 Prospect St., East Longmeadow, MA. His family will receive friends again on Saturday prior to the service from 11:30-12:30 at the church. Jim's family requests no flowers. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Jim's memory to: Pan Mass Challenge for the Jimmy Fund and / or St. Luke's Greek Orthodox Church. All donations may be sent to Chris Nikolis, 162 Quail Run Rd., Suffield, CT 06078. Please visit us at www.CarmonFuneralHome.com for online condolences and guest book.