Nicholas James Kouretas

Nicholas James Kouretas "Uncle Nick" Nicholas James Kouretas, age 70, of San Jose, CA, passed away peacefully with his family by his side in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, April 27th, 2008. Nick Kouretas was born July 22, 1937, in Tracy, CA, to his parents Demetrios and Vasileke Kouretas. Nick was the youngest of three siblings, having two older sisters, Stella and Dena. He graduated from Tracy High School in 1955 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958. He was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. Even as a child, Nick discovered that he had a gift for "the art of the deal" and so began his journey doing what he loved most. Big deal or small, no one was better at negotiating than Nick. As he always said, "There's the right way, the wrong way and Nick's way. Guess which way we're going to do it." In the early 1960s, Nick, along with his cousin the late Pete Kouretas, began to work and acquire numerous restaurants throughout San Jose, CA. Their first venture was Squires followed by Miller's Steakhouse, Around the Clock, The Hungry House, Tiny's, Nicky's, Johnny No-Bones and the wildly popular Purple Pussycat. In 1966, both Nick and Pete decided to sell their restaurants to establish the landmark Zorba's Restaurant on Bascom Ave. In 1965, Nick met and fell in love with his sweetheart and future wife, Valdean Friesen. Nick and Valdean wed on August 16th, 1965. They had two sons, Demetrious and Daniel. In the mid-1960's, Nick began to expand his entrepreneurial skills and business acumen into the fields of import-export and real estate. He was in the import and export business for thirty years setting up offices throughout the United States and Asia. Nick began his real estate empire with purchases in and around San Jose, CA, extending to various sites throughout the United States, and ultimately setting up corporate headquarters in Las Vegas, NV in 2001. Nick's journey through life gave him the opportunity to touch many people's lives and make countless friends and acquaintances along the way. To his family and friends he was "larger than life," and made them feel special in their own way. Nick always felt compelled to help whoever was in need and would go out of his way to lend a hand. He will be remembered by all for his generosity, wisdom, never-ending sense of humor and his "love of the deal." His way was the only way, even up to the last moment of his life. No one can argue, there will never be another like "Uncle Nick." Nicholas James Kouretas is survived by his loving wife, Valdean Kouretas, his son Demetrious and daughter-in-law Amanda Kouretas, his son Daniel Kouretas and his three precious grandchildren Nicholas, Alexandra and Christian. Trisagion Thursday, May 1st, 2008 at 7 p.m. at Saint Nicholas Church, 1260 Davis St., San Jose, CA 95126. Funeral Services Friday, May 2nd, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Nicholas Church, 1260 Davis Street, San Jose, CA 95126. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made out to Saint Nicholas Church, in remembrance of Nicholas James Kouretas. Any questions please contact Lima Family Erickson (408) 295-5160.