Nickolas Peter Chilivis

1931 - 2016

Nickolas ("Nick") Peter Chilivis went to be with his Lord and Savior on the 4th of October, 2016. He died peacefully at home in his loving wife's arms, surrounded by family. He was born in Athens, Georgia, to Wessie and Pete Chilivis on January 12, 1931, and he lived there until January 1, 1975, when Governor George Busbee called him to Atlanta to serve as Revenue Commissioner of Georgia. He is survived by his dear wife of 49 years, Patricia ("Patti") Tumlin Chilivis, by two daughters, Taryn Bowman and her husband Pete of Atlanta, GA, and Nicole Chilivis and her husband Jamie Fleming of Seattle, WA, and by one son, Nickolas Chilivis and his wife Katie of Atlanta, as well as six grandchildren that he adored, Annabelle, Noelle, and Daley Nicole Bowman, Spencer and Benjamin Fleming, and Nickolas Peter Chilivis II. He is also survived by one sister, Mary Dunbar, as well as several nieces and nephews. His sisters, Kee Chilivis, Angela Cash and Helen Chilivis, predeceased him.

Nick graduated from Athens High School where he was President of all his classes and was one of four class valedictorians. He then attended The University of Georgia, where he was Cadet Colonel of the AFROTC, President of Gridiron Secret Society and President of the Inter-Fraternity Counsel, as well as an Officer of all of his undergraduate classes. In addition, he was requested to join the swimming, wrestling and football teams, but he declined because he was working more than 30 hours a week to pay for his education and other expenses. He then attended The University of Georgia School of Law, where he was President of Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity and graduated in the top three of his class. He began the practice of law in 1952 in Athens, where at various times he served as President of the Athens Bar Association, Judge Pro Tempore of the Athens Recorders Court and County Administrator and was a shareholder in the Athens Country Club, on the board of The Athens YMCA, a trustee of the University of Georgia Foundation, Athens Academy and Hope Haven School. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers.

After moving to Atlanta, he served as Vice Chairman of the Georgia State Depository Board, and Chairman of the Constitutional Revision Sub Committee on Governor and Lieutenant Governor articles. He was a past member of the Georgia Board of Public Safety, the Board of Visitors of The University of Georgia Law School, the Board of the University of Georgia Research Foundation, the Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), and the Atlanta Ballet. He was listed in The Best Lawyers in America in three different categories, reputably the only lawyer in Georgia listed in three categories. He served as Chairman of the United States District Court Disciplinary Committee for the Northern District of Georgia and served on its Rules Committee. In 1996, he was one of three persons to be awarded the Tradition of Excellence Award by the State Bar of Georgia at its annual convention.

In 1980, Nick was honored with the award of the Archdiocese Medal of Honor by Archbishop Iakovos on the stage of the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta.

Nick gave many professional lectures to Judges, lawyers and professional associations, and he wrote a number of professional papers. For several years, he was a member of the Capitol City Club, the Commerce Club and Leadership Georgia.

In the Fall of 1964, a group of Law School Seniors asked Nick if he would teach a jury trial practice course for seniors at night at The University of Georgia Law School. He did so, and when his first course resulted in a national award, the Law School Dean asked him to continue to do so as an Adjunct Professor. He did this for 10 years until moving to Atlanta in January 1975. Many of his students became judges, one became a congressman, and one became the Governor of Georgia. Others became outstanding trial lawyers. His class was held in a courtroom and was open to the public. At the first mock trial, he met, fell in love with, and ultimately married his wife, Patti.

Nick was also an avid football fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and was the lawyer for The University of Georgia Athletic Association for more than 40 years.

Nick served on active duty with the United States Air Force from 1953 through 1955, during which he earned an LLM degree from Atlanta Law School and also wrote a complicated book on how to settle disputes with government contractors. This book was adopted by Warner Robins Air Material area and developed into a rather substantial manual. Nick was called back on active duty several times to revise and update the manual.

After serving three years as Revenue Commissioner for the State of Georgia, Nick began the practice of law in Atlanta and did so until he semi-retired in 2002, after 50 years of being a lawyer. He is reported to have represented more governors, judges, and lawyers than any other lawyer, as well as cabinet level members of the United States of America Presidency and several movie, stage and television actors and columnists. During this period he had trials in more than seven states, including hundreds of jury trials in Georgia. His cases have been included in several books and in one television show.

Nick was a long time member of Emanuel Episcopal Church in Athens where he served as President of the Men of Emanuel and also served as treasurer for five years before moving to Atlanta. In Atlanta, he was a member of The Church of the Apostles where he served as Senior Warden (President and Lay Leader) for four different terms, more than any other member. He also served as a trustee on the Foundation of the Holy Apostles for many years until his death, and he and his wife conducted a Bible Study at their residence for more than 15 years.

Throughout his career, Nick was immensely generous in giving his time and money to numerous charities and civic organizations, and, at various times, he served on the board of many of them, including but not limited to, The Easter Seals Society, Eagle Ranch and The Skandalakis Foundation. He also helped many individuals in many ways.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Leading The Way, P.O. Box 20100, Atlanta, GA 30325 or the Haggai Institute, P.O. Box 13, Atlanta, GA 30301-9989 or to Eagle Ranch, P.O. Box 7200, Chestnut Mountain, GA 30502 or The Church of the Apostles, 3585 Northside Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30317.

A funeral service will be held on October 10, 2016 at 11o'clock at The Church of the Apostles with a reception immediately following the service. Interment will be at 4 pm at Evergreen Memorial Park in Athens. Arrangements made by H.M. Patterson and Son Oglethorpe Hill, Brookhaven, GA. Online condolences may be made at hmpattersonoglethorpe.com.

1931 - 2016