Nikolaos Hatzidis

Shrewsbury - Nikolaos Hatzidis's story is one of determination, loyalty, love and perseverance. And throughout his eighty-four years he endured life's triumphs and setbacks…laughter and tears. And in the end he enjoyed the comfort of sweetness and peace in his native Greece. Nikolaos died peacefully on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. He was 84. His family remains eternally grateful for the wonderful care he received while at the Hospital of Giannitsa in N. Pellis, Greece and in particular their cardiac care unit. Born August 17, 1936 in Crimea, Russia he was a son of the late Apostolos and Maria Hatzidis. He was raised in Agios Loukas, Giannitsa, Greece. It was a simple upbringing in an environment where family and work were priority and education was secondary. When time afforded he learned how to read and write on his own by studying and reading the daily newspaper. He married Theodora Petridis in May of 1963 in Germany. In October, 1971 he and his wife and their two children, Haralambos (Harry) and Maria set out for the United States in hopes of new opportunity. With the required twenty-five dollars for entry to the U.S. and a couple of suitcases they settled with his brother Constantinos and his family as they worked to get acclimated in foreign territory they would call home. They moved to Shrewsbury in 1986. Nikolaos was the epitome of hard work. Foreign soil would be called home for many years and he worked with his hands in a myriad of self-taught ways including painting, carpentry and plumbing. At one point he was a restaurateur on Moody Street in Waltham and owned and operated a liquor store in Charlton along with his son. His faith was central in his life and he worshipped at Saint Mark of Ephesus Orthodox Cathedral in Westwood where he was active in various church activities including its church picnics and other fundraising events. While he loved the United States and his dual citizenship his heart was always at home in Greece. He and Theodora returned to Greece upon retirement when he was 63. It was a wonderful reunion with family and friends. With his green thumb he built an enormous greenhouse and shared the literal labor of his fruits and vegetables to neighbors and friends. In heaven Nikolaos has been reunited with his son, Haralambos 'Harry' Hatzidis (†2015) and siblings, Demetrios Hatzidis (†2018) and Constantinos Hatzidis (†2008) In addition to his wife of 57 years, Theodora, he leaves his daughter, Maria Chacharone and her husband, Meletios of Shrewsbury; his grandchildren, James, Theodora and Stella Chacharone and Sophia Hatzidis; his sister-in law, Andromaxi Hatzidis of Randolph, Ma; and many nieces & nephews in the United States, Germany and Greece. Funeral services and burial will be in Greece. Memorials in his name may be made to Saint Mark of Ephesus Orthodox Cathedral, 340 Clapboardtree, Westwood, MA 02090. www.stmarkofephesus.org May his memory be eternal. Arrangements by James & John Heald.