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BORN
1926
DIED
2016
FUNERAL HOME
Nicholas Poulos Obituary
PORTLAND - Mr. Nicholas (Nick) E. Poulos Sr. died peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, in Portland, at the age of 90.
Nick was born on Feb. 7, 1926, in Bath. He graduated from Morse High School and was hon- ored to be a World War II veteran (U.S. Army).
He ran his family's diner, Espan's Quick Lunch, in Portland, with his wife, Lefco, until their retirement in September of 2007. Nick, an avid golfer, was a proud member of Riverside Municipal Golf Course and loved being at Higgins Beach. Nick was also a lifelong New York Yankees fan, bravely living in Red Sox country.
Nick worked at Espan's since its opening in 1948. He operated it more like a gathering place than a business, where it eventually became a clubhouse for his friends and golfing buddies. Nick was known to open the restaurant well before its 4:30 a.m. opening to have a coffee and do the crossword with other early risers. Espan's is remembered as a place where everyone was made to feel welcome and part of the Poulos family.
Mr. Poulos is survived by his wife, Lefco; his children and their spouses, Nicholas and Jill Poulos Jr. of Standish, Ernest Poulos and Mary Delaney of Portland, Diana (Poulos) and Sam Sanders Sr. of Portland, and Stephanie (Poulos) and Juan Torruella of New York; his grandchildren, Anthony, Amy, Sam Jr., Andrew, Michael, Anna, Thomas, John Henry, and Alexia; his nephew and nieces, Greg Poulos, Theanna Pateropoulos, Tracy (Trouvalis) Schuffels, and Kathleen Trouvalis; and his sister- and brother-in-law, Anna and Nick Trouvalis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Virginia (Mihalos) Poulos, and his brothers, Richard E. and George E. Poulos.
The family would like to recognize and thank Dr. James Zeitlin, the staff at InterMed, Nick's caregivers from MaineHealth Care at Home and Interim HealthCare, and his neighbors on Berkeley Street.
Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016, at
Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home
, 199 Woodford St., from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., where at 7:30 p.m. the Trisagion service will be conducted. Funeral service will be held on Monday, Aug. 22, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, corner of Pleasant Street and Park Avenue, with Rev. Constantine Sarantidis officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot at Forest City Cemetery, South Portland.
For further information and to send a tribute in memory of Nick, please visit: www.jonesrichandhutchins.com
In lieu of flowers,
donations can be made to:
Holy Trinity
Greek Orthodox Church
133 Pleasant Street
Portland, ME 04013, or
The ALS Association
Northern New England Chapter
10 Ferry Street, Suite 438
Concord, NH 03301
www.alsanne.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Nicholas Poulos
Sponsored by Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home.
August 30, 2016
My condolences go out to the family of Nick. He was a wonderful man full of life, and I will miss our morning discussions of our beloved Yankees at the bakery...
Michael Daicy, Portland.
August 21, 2016
All of us in our family have such fond memories of our many Saturday morning breakfast at Espan's.......It really was our 'Cheers'......for greeting friends, enjoying a meal, rather lunch or breakfast and of course the spirit of your wonderful family.
Our family sends our heartfelt sympathies to all of you for your great loss.
David and Theresa Getson, Falmouth
Ron Winson
August 20, 2016
Nick was such a good man and a wonderful friend and neighbor. Even as his health was failing, he'd be right outside on snowy mornings cleaning up my sidewalk. I'd rush outdoor to beat him to it, but to no avail. Every so often he'd stop by with loaf of his favorite Botto's Italian loaf or a Greek Easter cake or delicious baklava that Lefty had made to say nothing of the Greek mac 'n cheese or spanakopita.
Nick was very proud of his family. He'd fill me in on all of their accomplishments. He lead such a full life.
Nick always had a kind word or a joke as I walked by during the day with my dog.I shall miss this wonderful guy so much. If I should possibly make it to heaven, I'm sure that Nick will be the official greeter.
Thalia Athanasion
August 19, 2016
I remember Espan's. it was just up a block from my grandmother's house.
Good people! My Condolences. Thalia Athanasion
Don Spear
August 19, 2016
My sincere condolences to all of Nick's family. You won't recognize my name but he was one of my basketball heroes (Morse High). Bath was small enough back then (the 1940s) so we all got to know each other. I recall many fine Greek families there: the Kakos, Mihalos, and Poulus families stood out and were much respected by all. Nick had a wonderful personality and no one ever had a bad word to say about him. I drove with my parents to Portland from time to time in the very late 1940s and we would stop in at Espan's to renew our friendship. The world is a better place for Nick's presence in it.
Tom Dyhrberg
August 19, 2016
Nick Poulos and the restaurant he and his family ran were the best of what America has to offer. These troubled times would be a lot less troubling if there were more Nicks, Lefcos and Espans. RIP, Nick. You did yourself and the rest of us proud.
Sue Rand
August 19, 2016
I worked at Espan's m all during high school from 1965 to 1968. We had a blast! Both Nicky and Rudy were great bosses and I have wonderful memories. My love and prayers to you and yours,,
Sue (Oberg) Rand
Ted Hunter
August 19, 2016
Nick and my Mom both went to Morse High School. My Dad introduced me to Nick when I was a small boy. Espans was the place of choice when I worked on the Tukey's bridge project in the 1980s.
Nick's restaurant was a small piece of home, the meatloaf was amazing, and I had the privilege if bringing my Mom there, and her Mom, to see Nick for the first time in decades.
Nick was a wonderful person and made everyone feel like a special guest when we went to his restaurant. He will be missed by a great many people. My sympathy to the entire family.
Fred Moore
August 19, 2016
My condolences to Lefty and the family. Nick was a good friend and neighbor. If a man was remembered by the number of his friends, Nick would rate very highly.
Steven Kaatz
August 19, 2016
I have so many great memories of Nick from growing up around the Poulos family. He was a man who would always be there for family or friends. I always enjoyed when he would just stop by my work to visit and say hello. My deepest sympathy to Lefty, Nick,Ernie,Dina, Stephanie and all the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Fred Moore
August 19, 2016
My condolences to Lefty and the family. Nick was a good neighbor and a friend. If a man was rated by the number of his friends, Nick would rate very highly.
August 19, 2016
Another from the 'Greatest Generation' in God's care.
Thank you for your service.
Kelly Margolis
August 18, 2016
My deepest sympathy. Nick was the very definition of a great husband, dad, friend, neighbor, and man. All of us on Berkeley Street lived with such great family examples. Nearly all of my childhood memories are with the Poulos family - from Espan's, playing, to the beach - always the rock Big Nick was there. And Espan's was responsible for the Hurley-Quinn family's joint venture, too! Love to you all, Kelly (Quinn) Margolis
August 18, 2016
We offer our deepest condolences and prayers to the family. May God rest his soul in peace.
Diana Dowd
Marilyn Gugliucci
August 18, 2016
Diana,
I was so sorry to hear about the death of your dad. Thank you for those times you spoke about him and your mom with me at UNECOM. You have to love those stories about Greek families and Italian families!! My heartfelt condolences to you and your family and every wish that you experience peace in your heart. Marilyn
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Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home199 Woodford Street, Portland, ME 04103
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