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Nicholas George Kledaras

FUNERAL HOME

Chandler Funeral Homes & Crematory - Hockessin

7230 Lancaster Pike

Hockessin, Delaware

Nicholas Kledaras Obituary

Name: Visitation for Nicholas George Kledaras
Start: 2017-04-28T14:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-04-28T15:30:00.000Z
Location: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Nicholas George Kledaras

AGE: 83 • Wilmington, Delaware

Nicholas George Kledaras, age 83 of Wilmington, Delaware died on April 21, 2017, after bravely battling heart and lung disease.

Born in Agia Paraskevi, Lesbos, Greece, he came to Wilmington with his mother Mersina and sisters Helen and Anna, and he helped his older brothers Pete, Stavros, and William operate their restaurants. By 1959, he established a luncheonette on Maryland Avenue. In 1963, he leased the Hearth Restaurant in Odessa and bought it outright in 1968. With his bride Antonia and family, Nick ran the restaurant for the next 54 years. He took pride in his business and enjoyed his family and friends in both Wilmington and Odessa. His passion was serving good food and building a strong community around him.

In addition, Nick was a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Wilmington.

He is survived by daughter Mersini Manolakos, son-in-law George Manolakos, and their children Adam and Nicholas of Pike Creek; son George N. Kledaras, daughter-in-law Soteria Kledaras, and their children Nicholas and Lambros of New York; son Peter M. Kledaras, daughter-in-law Caroline Kledaras, and their children Henry and Andrew of San Ramon, California; and sister Helen Breznak of Middlesex New Jersey.

Family and friends may visit from 10:00 to 11:30 am on Friday April 28, 2017 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on N. Broom St. followed by the funeral service at 11:30 am. Interment will be held in Silverbrook Cemetery on Lancaster Avenue.

Flowers or contributions in Nicholas Kledaras' name may be sent to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 808 N. Broom St., Wilmington, DE. 19806

For online condolences,

Please visit

CHANDLER FUNERAL

HOMES & CREMATORY

chandlerfuneralhome.com

302.478.7100

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News Journal from Apr. 25 to Apr. 27, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Nicholas Kledaras

Sponsored by Chandler Funeral Homes & Crematory - Hockessin.

21 Entries

David Berry

May 5, 2017

I have known Uncle Nick since I married his lovely niece, Victoria Kledaras, on November 13, 2010. We enjoyed his hospitality at his restaurant, "The Hearth" in Odessa, many times, and occasionally saw him at his home in Greenville. In all circumstances, he was always "at our service": warm, friendly, competent, respectful, humorous. I was also pleased to meet his children George, Pete, and Mersini: they are all class acts, and reflect the humane intelligence of their father. Uncle Nick acted like "well, everyone is this way." But these days, people like Uncle Nick are not often met. It is our loss.

David Pearl

May 2, 2017

My wife and I frequently had breakfast and lunch at the Hearth. It was a very friendly place which served great clam chowder. Nick always met us with a smile and would ask about some of our mutual friends in Wilmington. He was kind and generous and never refused when asked for a donation for my church charity. He also had a certain toughness and determination to keep his business open even after being robbed and roughed up at gun point.
We shall miss him.
David&Carol Pearl

April 28, 2017

My husband and I enjoyed so many lunches and
dinners at the Hearth and it was always a pleasure talking with Nick. He was always smiling.
He will be sorely missed. Mrs. Paul Lange

George Ward

April 28, 2017

For over fifty years our entire family has enjoyed Nick's cheesesteaks at the Hearth, but even more we have enjoyed knowing Nick as a friend. Back in the early 60s my father and I fished and hunted a lot in the Odessa area and we quickly found out that the Hearth was the place to eat nearby. Even though I've now lived in Texas for 45 years, I return to see family in the area every year--and every year I make it a point to stop by the Hearth for the World's Best Cheesesteak and to talk to my friend Nick. He always asked about my parents who ate there often over the years. He was that kind of a man--thoughtful, friendly, and caring. I will miss him for sure. On behalf of our entire family, know that we are thinking about Nick and his family that he was so proud of.

MAria D. Cabrera

April 28, 2017

I am very sorry for your loss. May you be comforted in knowing that Mr. Kledaras's love of community and the people he served, made a difference in so many lives! Celebrate a life well lived! He will be missed...

Patricia Brown

April 27, 2017

Dear Mersini, George, Adam and Nicholas, and all of Nick's family - Jim Austin and I wish you to know we are thinking of you at this sad time. We have thoroughly enjoyed our many meals at The Hearth and especially chatting with Nick. We will certainly miss him. He was a joy to know, so friendly and always cheerful. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you and bring you peace.

Danna Hamilton

April 27, 2017

R I P Nick I use to work at the Hearth in Odessa he was a good man and a decent boss Danna Hamilton

Christine McCall

April 26, 2017

I had the pleasure of meeting Nick while he and my dad were in Cadia Rehabilitation Pike Creek. They often had dinner together. Nick was such a sweet person and was always smiling. My dad and I enjoyed hearing his stories. Heaven gained an angel! Your all in our thoughts and prayers.

Bruna Carchedi

April 26, 2017

My sincere sympathy to Nick's family. We were neighbors for many years in Odessa. His boys played with my nephew Neil when they were young. I have great memories of Nick and Toni. I loved to visit the Hearth when I was in town. I wish I'd had the chance to see Nick one more time.

Janet Edwards

April 25, 2017

Mersini and George, I am so sorry to read about Nick's passing. I sit here with tears streaming down my smiling face. Tears for his loss and smiles for the fond memories I hold so dear. He was such a nice man, always so polite. When he stopped in my office to pick up his payroll, he always made me smile with his stories. If he was worried or upset, I would give him a big hug and he would blush, then I would ask him to take me for a ride in his fancy car and he would just laugh and say he had to get to work. I really took a liking to Nick and his sweet ways. What a wonderful dad you had Mersini. I pray God will comfort your hearts during this difficult time and allow your memories of him to always be with you. RIP Nick

April 25, 2017

A lifelong friend to Odessa and the Doutys.

Barbara Dorsey Rick Broadbent

April 25, 2017

Dear George and Family,

Very sorry to hear of the loss of your Father. It seems like he had an interesting life full of family, but it is always difficult at any age.

Blessings to you all.

Rick and Barbara

Zackary Broomall

April 25, 2017

Gonna Miss you Nick... Love, Buddy, Zack Broomall and Tyler Flanagan

Tracy Broomall

April 25, 2017

I have known Nick and his family for the last 38 years. Moving to Odessa ate the age of 6 living only a few doors down from the restaurant I would walk with Danielle Buckingham and Teresa Carbine to sit at the counter and order grilled cheese sandwiches and Shirley temples. I also worked for Nick and let me tell ya.... We had a ball working together especially on Race Weekends... Kim Logullo and I would tell Nick and Carson hurry up we need to turn these tables faster... Now THOSE were the days. I find myself smiling as I drive past the restaurant these last few days cause I know you are where you wanted to be... with Toni. May you Rest in Paradise my friend... I will never forget you nor will my family. Love ya.... The Broomalls

Kimberly Lanczkowski

April 25, 2017

Since working for Nick since 1986 it's been like having two dads in my life. It was a great time working for him, we had a lot of good times at the restaurant. I will always fondly remember his management style, his laughter, his stories and how he had a way of leaving people with a smile. I was saddened to hear of his passing. He will be surely missed by all. May our hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of Joyful times together as we celebrate a life well lived, he was a great man and boss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. With lots of love,. Lanczkowski family. Kimberly, Michael and Jason.

Dan DiMichele

April 25, 2017

To the family, "Uncle" Nick was a true gem of a person and human being and was a joy to work with through the years. I value his friendship and advice dating back to when we had our restaurant through the time i had the honor to be his food rep. Nick will truly be missed.

"Uncle" Nick and Santa

Dan DiMichele

April 25, 2017

Yvonne Lowman

April 25, 2017

Nick you are going to be missed you were the best boss ever

Betty Sweetman

April 24, 2017

I worked for Nick at his restaurant in Odessa in the late 70's. He was the nicest boss I ever had and I told him so. I loved stopping at the Hearth and having coffee and saying hello to Nick, Carson, Debbie that worked the day shift. Nick is going to be missed. He had the best personality. Always interesting to talk to.

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