Nikolaos Madouras

Nikolaos Madouras was born on August 1st, 1933, in the fields of Karystos, Greece while on a family odyssey, to parents Taxiarchis and Antonia Madouras. He passed away on Saturday, March 11 at the age of 90 at his home in Patras, Greece. He grew up in Pireaus during WWII and joined the Merchant Marines at the age of 16 (he lied about his age). After traveling the world as a first-class seaman, he settled in New Orleans, where he met his wife Efstathia (Effie) Kouloubis and had two children, Taxiarchis (Ike) and Antonia (Tonia). Once he became a US citizen, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Delgado College and joined the local Union 060. He had a very strong work ethic with many accomplishments, eventually working in NASA's space program. He was also a dedicated father making sure to provide better opportunities than those he was leaving behind. He had a love for music, playing clarinet and sax in the military marching band. He was a member of AHEPA and the Greek Orthodox Church, acting at times as a cantor. His passion for soccer led him to establish several Greek soccer clubs in New Orleans which offered the Greek community the opportunity to connect outside of church events. As his children moved to Los Angeles for college, he moved with them to help them establish new roots, finding work as a mechanical engineer until his early retirement due to health issues. He set up residence with his wife beach side in Long Beach California to stay connected to his love for the ocean. As his children began to have their own families, Ike in USA and Tonia in Greece, he was left with a painful dilemma as to where to live out his final years. His fair compromise was long stays with his wife's and daughter's family in Patras, Greece who loved him very much, and he in return. It was during his last stay in Patras, just at the start of the pandemic, he fell gravely ill which kept him there until he passed. Despite battling serious health issues from the age of 60, Niko was always happy and had an infectious smile. He will be remembered as a family-centric, kind, caring and communal man. Nikolaos Madouras is survived by his wife, Effie, his two children Ike and Tonia, his daughter-in-law, Ramila and son-in-law, Konstantinos (Kosta) Vartholomaios as well as his two grandchildren, Nikolaos (Niko) and Angeliki (Angel).