Nicholas T. Christie

1926 - 2023

Nicholas T. Christie, 96, died peacefully on August 24, 2023 in his home by the ocean he loved so much surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born on October 6, 1926 in Morphou, Cyprus. Grateful to his uncle Jack N. Jacovides, Nick was given the opportunity to immigrate to America in 1946 for a better life. With a strong work ethic, unwavering determination and desire to succeed, Nick achieved the American dream.

In the first ten years while in America, Nick had varied opportunities to learn the language and to gain experience. At first, he began working for his uncle and then had an opportunity to attend Louisburg College in North Carolina for a year where he taught others Greek while becoming proficient with his English. Soon after he traveled to Washington D.C. with his cousin, Nick Jacovides, and took any job he could find in the restaurant business. Nick was never afraid to work and each experience was an opportunity to move forward. Soon after, Nick was drafted in the Army and served in Korea as a medic. Following his service to his new country, Nick attended Wiliam and Mary extension which is now Old Dominion University.

Nick did not remain in school to complete his degree, but chose to start earning a living and having a family. He decided to take up his father's trade as a shoe cobbler which he learned from his father in Cyprus. Soon after, Nick married Eva and had three children: Nick, Jr., Anna and Teddie, whom he loved dearly. Even with owning two shoe repair shops in Norfolk, Nick wanted to do more to give his family the best life he could. Being driven and the goal-oriented person that he was, Nick obtained a good loan and was able to get into the hotel business. In 1967 he purchased the Seaside Hotel on the oceanfront at 27th street which he owned until November 2014.

Nick strove to make the Seaside Hotel one of the best on the oceanfront with its beautiful indoor garden filled with the fragrances of Cypriot jasmine and a pond with rippling water. Nick was not a coat and tie kind of person. Instead, he always wore everyday work clothes and was often seen with a hammer, wrench, or some other tool ready to repair something. Nick worked hard to make the Seaside a memorable vacation spot for his guests. He enjoyed the fact that his two brothers, Chris and Jack also owned hotels and this gave them an opportunity to work close together and share ideas for the good of their businesses. Best of all, Nick was proud that his daughter, Teddie, and son, Nick, Jr., worked beside him along with other family members and great employees to make the Seaside Hotel a successful business.

Nick was preceded in death by his wife, Nitsa Kalimera, his former wife and mother of his children, Eva Kanadnagonti, his parents Anastasia and Theodosis Christie, and his two brothers, Chris Theodosiou and Jack Christie. Left to cherish his memory are his children: Nick Christie, Jr., Anna Suozzi (Vincent) and Teddie Christie; two grandsons: John Suozzi (Marianna) and Stephen Suozzi (Po Lin) and their two children, Tala and Tai. Others cherishing Nicks memory are his two sisters, Chloe Christie and Georgia Christie, many loving nieces and nephews, in particular, Tessie, Artemis, Constantina, Stasia, Alexis and Christopher; loving cousins; Bonnie Christie, his sister-in-law, and wonderful friends from near and far.

Nick being the simple man that he was, loved the best of everything and lived life the way he wanted! He worked hard but he also found time to enjoy life. Often after the summer season, Nick and his wife, Nista, would ship their car to Germany and travel throughout Europe and complete their trips with a long stay in their birthplace, Cyprus. Nista loved traveling as much as Nick, so their trips were a great reward after a summer season of hard work. On occasion, Nick's two daughters Anna and Teddie, would vacation with them. With this good life that Nick earned from his hard work, he never forgot others who were not as blessed, Nick was generous and kind to many who crossed his path.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Westminster Hospice and Key Home Health Care. In particular, the family is grateful for the love, kindness, and time given to Nick's care by Sabrina, Felicia, Lutzi, Elaine, Dan and John.

A Trisagion service will be held on Monday, August 28 at 5:00pm in the chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., 2002 Laskin Rd., Va Beach. The funeral will be on Tuesday, August 29 at 12:00 o'clock at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 7220 Granby St., Norfolk, VA with Father George Bessinas and Father John Manuel officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral or St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Virginia Beach. Online condolences may be made at hdoliver.com.