Nicholas Kanios

Nicholas P. Kanios, age 93 of Sylvania, Ohio passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on August 25, 2014. Better known as ‘Nick’, he was born in Central Greece in 1921 to Peter and Chrissoula Kanios.  His father emigrated to the United States in 1922 and sent for him and his mother in 1928.  They lived in a small town near Presque Isle, WI until Peter’s death in 1931 at which time Nick and his mother returned to Greece. Nick was raised in Greece by his mother who died just before he graduated from high school in 1939.  Shortly thereafter, World War II came to Greece and Nick joined the resistance’s fight to preserve Greece’s freedom.  He became an officer in the British Army and served with Special Commando Force 133 as a lieutenant leading commando raids and harassing the occupying forces. The United States had always held a special place in Nick’s heart and, following the war, he planned to emigrate to America, but fate had other plans for him.  Civil War had erupted in Greece and Nick was called upon to fight the Communists. After that war ended in 1949, Nick finally made it back to the U.S., landing in Detroit, Michigan in 1950. Nick met the love of his life, Maria, or ’my Mary’ as he called her, in Greece prior to the war,  but intervening events forced them to postpone wedding plans until 1952 when they finally wed in Detroit, MI.  While Mary worked at the New York Central Railroad, Nick worked part time and earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA from Wayne State University.  In 1954 Nick and Mary welcomed the birth of their son, Peter and in 1958 their daughter Chris was born. Professionally, Nick worked for a time with  the Ford Motor Company’s Warranty and Policy Administration Department.  In 1959 he joined the John Hancock Life Insurance Company, rising through the ranks to eventually become the General Agent running the Toledo/Northwest Ohio Agency until his retirement in 1982. Following retirement he was an instructor at Owens Community College for a time, teaching a course in Marketing. Retirement was not a reason for life to slow down.  Nick and Mary traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe.  Nick took up tennis and became an avid player who more than held his own against younger competition. He also revived and honed a skill he acquired during the war-sketching and painting.  His favorite medium was watercolor and he specialized in painting scenes from Mediterranean locations.  He enjoyed giving away his works to friends and family, and as a member of the Toledo Artists’ Club, sold numerous works at the annual art auction. Nick and Mary’s retirement years became busier with the arrival of their grandchildren Mary, Jimmy and Nichole in whom they took great pride.  Nick reveled in their activities and rarely missed a soccer game, play, concert or recital. Although he began slowing down in his later years, Nick remained an active member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral and during every Greek-American Festival, could be found behind the scenes making salads for the thousands of hungry guests coming through the food lines. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Mary; children Chris (Steve Papadimos) and Peter; grandchildren Mary, Jimmy and Nichole and numerous nieces and nephews.  The family would like to thank everyone involved with Nick’s care in his final days but would especially like to thank Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Drs. John Letcher and Tim Kasunic and Latina Amick, CNP. Although he will be missed, his family takes great comfort in knowing his life was well-lived. Visitation will be Friday from 3-8 p.m. in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.) with Trisagion prayers at 7:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 30, 2014 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 740 N. Superior St., with burial to follow at Toledo Memorial Park. Memorials are suggested to the church or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.