Nickolaos "Nick" Sierros

1939 - 2020

Nickolaos "Nick" Sierros obituary, 1939-2020, Easthampton, MA

Nickolaos "Nick" Sierros

1939 - 2020

BORN

1939

DIED

2020

Nickolaos Sierros Obituary

Published by Daily Hampshire Gazette on Dec. 16, 2020.
It is with a very heavy heart that I announce the passing of my father and Patriarch of the Sierros family, Nickolaos Sierros. Lovingly called "Nick" by all his friends, Dad was born in the renowned wine-making village of Malandreni in Argolidos, Greece on November 29, 1939. He diligently worked on the family farm growing and selling table grapes and making olive oil alongside his late father Konstantinos Sierros. In 1962 he honorably served in the Elite Greek Armored Force Unit as a Black Beret tank driver. When he finished his commitment to the military, he decided to leave Greece and try to make a "better life" in Australia where other relatives and townspeople had already migrated to after World War II. In 1965, he signed up for the "populate or perish" migration plan funded by the Australian government which paid for free passage to Australia. The infamous Bonegilla Migrant Camp was his first taste of his new country and through the grace of a compassionate stranger traveling with him from his neighboring state of Corinthia, my father was able to "escape to Melbourne" and joined his much beloved first cousins Frosso, Maria, Dina, John and George, who had already settled in Melbourne a few years earlier. These people made his struggles manageable in those early years and gave a fighting chance for his new life in a foreign land. Those amazing cousins stayed very dear to him for the rest of his life and he credited some of the most amazing moments of his life to the precious times he spent with them.

In January of 1966, he met and married my late mother, Dimitra Koutretsi Sierros. I was born in late December and the three of us lived in Richmond, a then small suburb of Melbourne. During that time, my father worked in various jobs, initially at the local Dunlop tire factory, then in a paper mill and finally as a foreman for the electric company laying underground wire under the roads of the ever-expanding city of Melbourne. Life in Australia was happy yet it seemed that the more they both worked the harder it was to get ahead financially. Unexpectedly, my mother was diagnosed with Lupus and "a better life" seemed to be impossible to achieve. My father understood that his quest for "a better life" could only be achieved if he moved again. In the early months of 1972, he made the decision to join the rest of his family that had already migrated to the United States. His youngest and most beloved brother Christos along with their sister Panagiota were leading the way with their own bold quest "for a better life" by also leaving Greece and heading to Hartford Connecticut, where my father, mother and myself inevitably joined them. There in Hartford, with the combined efforts from all the Sierros clan, they started their first restaurant, ABC Pizza in Cromwell, CT. Through the years, each remaining sibling was sponsored and brought to the United States - Ilias Sierros and his wife Efstathia created and operated the well-known Campus Pizza in Hadley, Vassiliki Sierros Zahariadis and her husband George operated the Auburn Pizza outside of Worcester, Christos Sierros and his wife Georgia established Village Pizza in Easthampton and Panagiota Sierros Retsinas and her husband Vassilis operated Bantam Pizza in Litchfield, CT. Back in Greece, the oldest brother George Sierros and his wife Panagiota (Nota) remained as the corner stone of the entire family, and the beacon that shined the light to show each member of the Sierros family the way back home.

But many of you knew my father, Nick, not from those early years, but from the time we moved to Florence in 1983. There, he purchased and operated A-1 Pizza on Maple Street next to Bird's Store, where he still remained the "Patron (Boss)" till the day he passed. From this one little neighborhood pizza shop, he worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week for years on end, as the epitome of work ethic, truly achieving the American Dream.

In his later years, as his age required, he took a less "hands on" role in the family restaurants, but he continued his routine to visit each restaurant daily with a dozen donuts or some kind of treat for the staff in hand. Visiting was his daily solace. He also strongly believed in acknowledging and appreciating every single customer that entered our restaurants. Dad was emphatic about teaching me that our success was only possible because of our customers dedicated patronage and we needed to show our appreciation if the opportunity arose. For dad, this opportunity happened on every one of his daily visits. With a hand gesture to whoever was behind the counter, he would often pick up the tab for drinks or food or whatever he felt he wanted to do to show his love and appreciation for the people that visited with him. I am sure many who will read this memorial to him will have experienced these acts of generosity first hand. But this acknowledgment and appreciation didn't end with customers. Every single person that worked for him was also treated with that same level of kindness and respect. He very personally knew the hard labor that was necessary to keep each place running, and he demonstrated his empathy in countless ways for all the employees. For example, he had an intense feeling that everyone should have comfortable, new and clean shoes for work. It was perhaps in his childhood that he recognized the privilege and the importance of being able to own good shoes and that these shoes gave one dignity and how one kept their shoes defined as to who they were. And so, my father would frequent Ted's Boot shop in Northampton and purchase and personally hand deliver new work shoes for his employees. I would not be exaggerating to say that he purchased hundreds of pairs of shoes through the years -so many shoes that, in fact, the employees at Ted's knew exactly what he wanted every time he came in. These type of life lessons were conveyed by my father not only to me, his biological son, but also to the many, many employees that came into our family business as teenagers and stayed with us twenty and some even thirty years later. Most of them now feel that they too lost a father.

My father's life touched many people throughout his life with his limitless generosity and constant acts of kindness. His incredible work ethic, unmatched business sense and relentless Filotimo is the reason I am who I am today. His strive for a "better life" ultimately gave me the "best life" I could have ever expected from a parent.

He leaves behind his two grandchildren for whom he adored and was most proud of - his granddaughter Dimitra "Toula" Sierros, and his grandson Nikhil "Niki" Sierros (who was named after him). He also leaves me, his son, Konstantinos N. Sierros, his daughter-in-law Sunita Sierros, and his "second son" Panagiotis "Peter" Sierros. He leaves his beloved brother and sister-in-law Christos and Georgia Sierros, his sister Vassiliki "Vasso" Zahariades, his sister Panagiota Retsinas, his brother and sister-in-law Ilias "Louie" and Efstathia "Effie" Sierros, and his sister-in-law Panagiota "Nota" Sierros. He also leaves countless family in Greece, the United States, Canada and Australia.

Nickolaos Sierros, my father, was one of the last of a generation that strove to make the world a better place while searching for a better life for himself and his family. We will miss you dad.

Calling hours will be Saturday December 19th from 9 til 11am at the Mitchell Funeral Home 15 Park Street Easthampton Ma. A Graveside Committal service will follow at 130pm in Forestdale Cemetery Holyoke Cabot Street www.mitchellcofuneralhome.com

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December 21, 2020

Sue Martin posted to the memorial.

December 20, 2020

Cheryl Kelso posted to the memorial.

December 20, 2020

Susanna Walz posted to the memorial.

Sue Martin

December 21, 2020

Such sad news! Mr. Sierros was a staple in Florence and will always be remembered with fondness.
He never forgot a face and would always greet everyone as if they were family.
My condolences to the family & friends.

Cheryl Kelso

December 20, 2020

My deepest sympathy on the loss of your Father. This Obituary tribute to your father. Rest in eternal peace Nick you will be missed by many.

Susanna Walz

December 20, 2020

We remember your father from A-1 Pizza in Florence. Please accept our sincere sympathy on his passing. The obituary you wrote was a beautiful way to memorialize him
Sue and Ed

Joe Fournier

December 19, 2020

Kon,
I'm so sorry to read about the passing of your father. I have many fond memories of seeing your dad at A-1 Pizza back in the 80s.

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful tribute to your father. He certainly did touch a lot of lives and he will never be forgotten.

Jacqueline Cichy

December 19, 2020

Your family is always very dear to me, bless you all and thank you for being a very nice part of my life & memories,

Tara Winters

December 19, 2020

What a fantastic tribute to a wonderful human being. Thank you for sharing this story with us. We have frequented his establishments for 25 years and are grateful each time, every time, to be greeted with kindness, smiles, excellent service and a delicious meal. He will be missed!!! Sending love and condolences to his giant loving family.
Tara & Chris Winters

Carol and Peter Sharac

December 19, 2020

Nick was our neighbor for over 20 years. A kinder person and neighbor you will never find.
So many times when our family was celebrating a birthday, confirmation or any kind of get together, there would appear a surprise delivery of pizza, salad, pasta and appetizers from Paisanos, sometimes delivered by Nick himself, always without fanfare and humbly offered.
We will miss seeing him as he drove by, always with a smile, wave and toot of his horn.
He's probably up in God's kitchen now, organizing, tasting and making sure that everyone gets served before him.
God bless you, Nick and your wonderful family. We will miss you.

Cindy Papageorge

December 18, 2020

Kon, deepest sympathies on the loss of your dad. I remember how patient and kind he was every Friday night we spent at A1 pizza. no matter how many kids were in the restaurant he just kept making sure we were all fed.

it was a few years before I understood how hard a person from Greece worked to have a better life for their family in the United States. Your dad’s path was very similar to my granddad’s and for that I have great admiration.

Deepest condolences, you’re in my heart and prayers.

Donna Walaszek

December 18, 2020

Kon,

It is with great sadness that I learned of your dad's passing. I very much remember meeting you and your family in the mid 80's when my family frequented A-1 Pizza in Florence during my high school years. I was fortunate to work for him for a short period of time during the early to mid 90's at A1 Hilltown, while I attended college. Your dad always had a friendly smile and a welcoming hello...I am guessing that is where you got it from. Please accept my condolences and know you and your family will remain in my heart and prayers especially during this difficult time. With Love and Sympathy - Donna (Walsh) Walaszek

Exquisite Tribute Standing Spray

Mary Gonzalez

Sent Flowers

Jeffrey Doyle

December 17, 2020

My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Nick was a mentor to a lot of people, myself included. He will be missed. May he RIP with mom.

The Sharac Family

December 17, 2020

What a touching and dynamic tribute to an honorable man. We all have fond memories of Nick and the family visiting in the neighborhood. Our deepest condolences to you and yours. May his memory and legacy be eternal to those that knew and loved him.

Leanne (Klepacki) Kidd

December 17, 2020

This breaks my heart!! He was my boss at Florence Pizza (many, many years ago!) and every time I came home from college, he would be sure to get me a shift so I could earn some money!!! I will always remember the day that I told him that I was moving to Ohio to start my career and therefore had to leave my position at Florence Pizza. I told him I planned to drive out there. Before I left my shift, he pulled me aside and shoved $80 in my pocket and told me to use it for the gas to get to Ohio!! It was an act that was so generous and so appreciated. I am now 36 and I will literally never forget that moment. I’m so happy I saw him a few years back when I came back to Northampton and ate at Florence Pizza...and of course he picked up the tab for myself and my hubby even though I hadn’t seen him in years!!!! What an amazing man.

Beverlee Orluske

December 17, 2020

He was such a kind man, and greeted my husband and me easily each time we were in Florence Pizza. Not long ago, I was leaving A-1 and he drove up and I said hello and asked how things were going, and he said, if you would stay, I would buy you lunch. How kind. He was always thinking of others. His staff is excellent and I hope they can continue greeting others for a long time in his memory and that of his wife as well. Bless him for all he did for others...prayers for the family and friends...

Sympathy gifts were selected in loving memory of Nickolaos "Nick" Sierros. To send a gift visit our online store.

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Sympathy gifts were selected in loving memory of Nickolaos "Nick" Sierros. To send a gift visit our online store.

Patricia Boyle

Sent Sympathy Gifts including Flowers

Thoughts of Tranquility Floor Basket

Seth Nyzio

Sent Flowers

Dave Blanchette

December 17, 2020

Kon, what a great tribute to your dad. My condolences to the family. I was fortunate to interact with Nick for many years as his Coca Cola rep. Always enjoyed sitting with him for a few minutes. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May you cherish the memories.

FitzGerald family

December 17, 2020

Our deepest condolences to Connie and family on the passing of this wonderful and delightful gentleman, who I never saw without a radiant smile on his face. What an inspiring life story! There is comfort in knowing he is now with his beloved wife forever.

Faithful Wishes Wreath

Panagiotis Partsinevelos

Sent Flowers

Ken and Robin LeClaire

December 16, 2020

Nick was a powerful role model and we loved him and Dimi The gracious manner in which they showed their friendship and love is something to be cherished. We are forever touched to have known them both. Our hearts are heavy and we grieve with the family. We were honored to have known them and were grateful that God put them in our lives. Our prayers are with the Serrios family and we will forever remember Nick and Dimi Now they are together again. Sending our love to the family.

Thoughtful Sentiments Bouquet

Alka Kanoujia

Sent Flowers

Terry Carr

December 16, 2020

Nick was nice and a kind man. What a hard and wonderful life he had. I loved seeing him water the flowers at Florence Pizza. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Love and prayers.

Exquisite Tribute Standing Spray

Angela Kattis

Sent Flowers

Faithful Wishes Wreath

Angela Kattis

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Eternal Affection Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

Marina Karapanagiotes

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Richard Rosato

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Mitchell Funeral Home - Easthampton

15 Park Street, Easthampton, MA 01027

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December 21, 2020

Sue Martin posted to the memorial.

December 20, 2020

Cheryl Kelso posted to the memorial.

December 20, 2020

Susanna Walz posted to the memorial.