Nikolaos Dimitrios Samaras

Our most beloved and precious baba, Nikolaos Dimitrios Samaras, 92, passed peaceful, at home on Friday, February 27, 2026, with his family by his side.He was born April 01, 1934, in a small village in Evrytania, Greece. As a young child, he moved with his family to Lamia, Greece, that was always home to him.He graduated high school in Lamia and served in the Greek Army. Upon completion of his military service, he earned a degree in Business Management Study, at The Emboriki Sxoli, Lamia, Greece.

He married Efrosini Tsoukalou, and they spent 67 glorious years together in love, faithfulness, laughter, happiness and partnership. They were inseparable.Together, they have three children, Dimitrios (Jimmy), of Winston-Salem, Vasiliki (Kiki) and husband Kyriakos (Kirk) Tarasidis, of Greensboro, Argiroula (Anjie) and husband Miltiades Stergakos, of New York and three amazing grandchildren, Georgios Tarasidis, of Connecticut, Nikolaos Tarasidis, of Philadelphia, and Eleonora Stergakos, of New York.

They immigrated to the United States and were proud immigrants working hard to pursue their American dream. Together with his wife, Efrosini, they owned and operated Nick’s Restaurant for 38 years. Nick and Frances, as they were lovingly known by their customers, worked side by side every day, opening on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day to serve hot meals to anyone in need. 

After retirement, he enjoyed gardening with his wife, taking care of his three huge chestnut trees, his five fig trees and his beloved peach tree. In the fall, he collected his chestnuts and shared with his friends and neighbors.

His joy was spending time with his grandchildren. He was full of life and laughter. He loved sharing funny stories and jokes with everyone. His eyes were always sparkling and full of love. He was a man of great integrity and unconditional love. He never met a stranger and was loved by all who met him.

He was a faithful Greek Orthodox Christian, served in various capacities at his church, The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, where he loved being a part of the Church Services Committee, and greeted everyone with his incredible smile and funny wit at every service.

He served as President of The Velouchi Organization, a charitable organization, that helps the elderly, sick and needy in the Evrytanian region of Greece.The funeral service for Nikolaos will be be held on Wednesday March 4, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 435 Keating Drive, Winston-Salem, NC. Visitation from 10:00am-11:00am, Trisagion service at 11am, followed by the funeral service. Burial will be at Forsyth Memorial Park.

The family invites everyone to attend a makaria (mercy meal) luncheon following the burial, at the Fellowship Hall, on the church grounds. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 435 Keating Drive, Winston-Salem, NC in his memory.