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Nicholas Spiak Obituary
Greer - Nicholas John Spiak, Jr. died February 4, 2019 at his home in Greer, SC, while under the compassionate care of Wren Hospice of Greer.
He is survived by his wife, Gladys Futral Spiak; his son, Nicholas John Spiak, III (Jeanette); his daughter, Dorothy Christine Spiak (James Callahan); and four grandsons, Maxwell Spiak Della Maggiora, Adam Spiak Della Maggiora, Robert Nicholas Spiak Callahan, and Nicholas John Spiak, IV.
Nick was the son of the late Nicholas John Spiak, Sr., and Christine Sweeney Spiak of Richmond, VA. He graduated from Fork Union Military Academy and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, where he was awarded a football scholarship.
While at Vanderbilt, Nick married Gladys and their son, Nick III, was born. After graduation, the three moved to Greenville SC so Gladys could earn her degree from Furman University.
Nick was an entrepreneur and started several companies, including Gusto Seafood, Inc. and Sushi with Gusto, Inc., a nation-wide sushi bar franchise enterprise. He retired in 2010, leaving SWG in the capable hands of Hisamichi Fujimura, his founding business partner, his son Nick III, and later, his daughter, Christine.
Nick was a hunting and fishing enthusiast and loved to plan expeditions with friends and family. Many friends will remember him as a fierce proponent of the six-wheel ATV, universal access to bingo and bowling, and the champion of multi-generational Texas Hold'em, whereby many a grandchild was relieved of his allowance. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 7, 2019 at The Wood Mortuary, conducted by Rev. Toni Pate. A private burial for family members will follow the service.
Visitation will be 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at The Wood Mortuary in Greer.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Church of Greenville, 100 Pete Hollis Blvd., Greenville, SC 29601.
Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Nicholas Spiak
Sponsored by The Wood Mortuary, Inc. - Greer.
Bob Bailey
December 15, 2023
I attended Fork Union with Nick. He was a big teddy bear. His good friend Curt Sheffield passed a few years before Nick.
God bless you and your family.
Bob Bailey, Cross, SC
Bob Gaines
June 19, 2019
Got to know Nick at Vanderbilt. He was a fine fellow with a huge sense of humor (Nick was the biggest lineman on the team!). Wish you had been blessed with a longer retirement, Nick! You deserved it.
Paul Della Maggiora
February 10, 2019
thank you for the impact you've had on Max, Adam, and my life. I'll trully miss you.
Tom Liles
February 9, 2019
Thanks for the memories Big Nick.the biggest redfish I ever caught was with you,i can see you fishing in heaven now.Your wonderful family will make you proud. Tom Liles
February 8, 2019
To the Spiak family on behalf of the Blair family of Fork Union Military Academy, we send our most heartfelt condolences.
I am the youngest in my family - the only son of Coach Bill Blair who will turn 90 this November. My father is still sharp as a tack when it comes to any and all things related to the memories of the young men he mentored at FUMA, and Nick Spiak is a name I have heard countless times through the years. My father loved the young men he coached and mentored, and Nick was truly one of those about whom he spoke most often. I am saddened to hear the news of Nick's passing but assure you that he lives on even through many people that you, his family, may have never met.God bless and keep you all, and God bless Nick - we will all keep him alive in our memories and in our hearts.
Most sincerely,
William Will Blair - FUMA Class Of 1986
Son of Coach Bill Blair
david ward
February 5, 2019
Nick was a gentle giant both in his polite and thoughtful treatment of every one and in his remarkable talent in business. He will be missed by all who knew him, yet we all have such warm memories to sustain us.
David Ward
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The Wood Mortuary, Inc. - Greer300 West Poinsett Street, Greer, SC 29650
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