Nikolaos Verikakis

Nikolaos E. Verikakis, affectionately known as Niko, passed away on September 2, 2022. He was 76 years old. Niko (or Nick to many) was born in 1946 Kasteli, Kissamou Chania Crete (Greece) to Manolis E. and Eleftheria Verikakis. Niko graduated from the National Technical University of Athens in 1967 as a topographer and surveyor. He completed his mandatory military service in the Greek Marine Corps in the three years and returned to Crete where he met his beloved wife, Despina (Zymvragoudakis). They married in 1971 and came to Toledo, OH.

While in a new country, raising a family and making ends meet, they purchased their first business in 1978. Together, they worked tirelessly over the years and were so very proud to be successful owners of several businesses in the Food and Beverage industry which included Dunkin Donuts and Ideal Hot Dog restaurants. Niko has been a member of several organizations over the years. He was an officer of AHEPA , he served on the board of directors at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Toledo, and a member of Evzones chapter of Zenovia Shriners. In addition, he dedicated many years to the Pancretan Association of America (PAA). The PAA was a deep passion of his that was embedded in his soul. He became a member and President of various local chapters and served as a National Officer of the organization in various posts.

Niko and his wife Despina of 51 years were a unique team both as family partners first and then in business. If you ask his friends, he was a great family man very humble, however proud and a generous person to various Philanthropic causes. He loved his beloved island of Crete spending summers with his wife entertaining and enjoining his family and friends at their home.

He was preceded in death by his brother Iakovos. Niko is survived by his beloved wife Despina, his son Emmanuel (Manoli), his daughter Eleftheria (Terri) her husband Thanasis (Tom) Lantzourakis his granddaughter Maria of Temescal Valley California, many cousins, nieces, nephews in Greece and the United States.

Friends will be received from 4:00pm – 7:00pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo, OH 43623, where Trisagion prayers will begin at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Service will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 740 N Superior St, Toledo, OH 43604. Those unable to attend may livestream the service at https://www.holytrinitytoledo.com/live/. Burial will follow in Toledo Memorial. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Pancretan Association of America Scholarship Fund, PAA General Secretary, 338 Bayberry Drive, Lake Park, FL 33403-3425 https://www.pancretan.org/content.aspx?page_id=305&club_id=665749&item_id=3879, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 740 N Superior St, Toledo, OH 43604, https://my.gobluefire.com/App/Form/2b3c9b94-1a1a-40e6-9f3c-f1ff296bc8a6, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.