Photo courtesy of O'Neill Funeral Home - Cumberland
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Dr. Nicholas Pliakas, 83, of Cumberland, passed away Friday, July 3, 2015. He was the beloved husband of Sheila (Curran) Pliakas. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late John and Efrosene (Korkanou) Pliakas. Dr. Pliakas was an army veteran of the Korean War. He graduated from Brown University in 1953 and the Massachusetts College of Optometry in 1959. He served his internship in 1960 at RI Hospital and at the Offices of Frank DiChiara, O.D. in Cranston. He eventually settled in private practice with offices in Providence and Smithfield for over 50 years. He was also a member of the Optometric Staff at RI Hospital from 1960-1972. He was a member of the American Optometric Association, the New England Council of Optometrists, and the Rhode Island Optometric Association where he served as past treasurer, vice president and president elect as well as serving on the Board of Directors. He was a past member of the Providence Kiwanis Club and the Smithfield Lions Club. He was a former member of the Board of Directors of the RI Lung Association and the Church of the Annunciation. He enjoyed tennis and was a longtime member of the Abbott Run Valley Club. He also enjoyed cooking and kayaking. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, John and Philip Pliakas, his sister, Demetra Lambros, and two grandsons, John and Alex Pliakas. A Service will be held Thursday at a 10am in the Church of the Annunciation, 175 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston. Burial with military honors will be in RI Veteran's Cemetery, Exeter. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours will be Wednesday from 4-7pm in the O'Neill Funeral Home, 3102 Mendon Road, Cumberland. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Church Endowment Fund, would be appreciated.
CONDOLENCES SHEILA AND ALL THE FAMILY FROM A COUSIN OF JUNE BLANK, WHO DIED ON 30SEPT. IN DEALING WITH JUNE'S DEATH I LEARNED OF THE DOCTOR'S DEATH. THE LAST OF THE BLANK FAMILY, MICKEY DIED ON 17OCT. HIS FUNERAL WAS AT ST. AUGUSTIN'S TODAY. MAY GOD HOLD NICHOLAS AND ALL OF YOU IN THE HALLOW OF HIS HAND.
PATRICK F. MURPHY
October 22, 2015 | NEWPORT, RI
I am so sorry for your loss. Nick Pliakas was a special man. He was my optometrist for 40 years. A visit with him was such a joy. He had such a calm presence. We always enjoyed a conversation about the latest in ophthalmology and life. Thanks for sharing him with us all those years.
Pat Raymond
July 09, 2015 | Glocester, RI
To Mrs Pliakas, John, Philip, John, and Alex Pliakas, Please accept my deepest condolences, and sympathies during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all with this passing of a husband, father and grandfather...
Thomas Heaney
July 08, 2015 | Fort Pierce, FL
To the Pliakas family, our deepest condolences on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during these difficult times.
Bruce Kaufman
July 08, 2015 | Sanger, TX
To the Pliakas family. I went to high school and Brown University with Nick and want to express my sympathy and that of the Brown class of 1953 to you all. He was a good friend and will be missed. Our prayers are with you.
Janice Swanson Post, Saunderstown, RI
July 08, 2015
To the family and loved ones of Dr. Pliakas, My entire family sends their deepest sympathies. We all knew Dr. Pliakas for many years.....he was a wonderful, caring and compassionate man. He was always interested in not only giving us all wonderful care, but also, what was going on in our lives, too. He was a gentleman and a gift to all who knew him. May you find peace in the many wonderful memories you have of him. Cathy and George Lavoie
July 08, 2015
To the family of Dr.Pliakas......my Mom Dad and I were patients until Dr. retired. He was best a gentleman and greatly missed by us. The family has our prayers and we share in your loss....Mary and Kathy Mason
July 08, 2015
Thinking of you during this difficult time, Dr Pliakas was a kind and caring man. He made going to the eye doctor enjoyable. He will be missed by all.
Kristy Borges
July 07, 2015 | Rumford, RI
I too was a patient of Dr. Pliakas for many years until his retirement.
Peace be with his family.
Stasia Tenaglia, Glocester, RI
July 07, 2015