Southborough – Peter J. Nicholas, 76, died at home in Southborough Friday June 24, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Dec. 29, 1934, in the village of Palopaniagia, Sparta, Greece. He was predeceased by his parents, Arete and John Nikolakakos (Sparta, Greece).
He was the proud father and best friend to his son, Ilya P. Nicholas and his wife Lucy, and beloved grandfather to his favorite girls, Natasha and Elyssa. He leaves his three loving and dedicated sisters and their respective spouses, Angeleki and John Tselekis of Marlborough, Penelope and Takis Michailos of Tarpon Springs, Fla., and Kanella and Anargyros Skantzaris of Burlington. He was also the uncle and great uncle to 17 adoring nieces and nephews.
Mr. Nicholas was a charismatic and compassionate man with an endearing smile, who easily made friends from all walks of life. His self-written motto was “The world belongs to those who dream and dare take that step beyond,” and that was how he lived his life, always on his own terms.
By the age of 12, he had lost both his father and grandfather. He and his eldest sister, Angeleki, became the primary caregivers for their mother and sisters in war-torn Greece. He worked numerous jobs (construction, waiter, etc.) over the next 10 years to help support his family and eventually helped them immigrate to the United States. He served in the Greek military, and after completing his service, he attended and graduated from the Dolianites Beauty Academy of Greece. Immediately thereafter, he opened up his own salon which quickly became an attraction for top models in Greece. He then followed his family and immigrated to Lynn in 1962.
For the next 10 years, Mr. Nicholas worked as a successful stylist in top salons in Harvard Square in Cambridge and on Newbury Street in Boston. Being true to his entrepreneurial spirit, he was always his own boss. He went on to design and run two of his own salons in Marlborough. Over the next two decades, in addition to his beauty salons, he bought and renovated numerous real estate properties throughout Massachusetts.
His real passion was his art, his photography and abstract painting. He worked as a photographer in exclusive clubs and events in the Boston area, and he photographed numerous entertainers, celebrities, and public figures. As an artist, he painted until the last months of his life. His abstract paintings decorate the walls of numerous public and private institutions and businesses around the country. He loved sharing his passion for art.
True to his Greek heritage, he strived for a balance between mind and body. He was a philosopher /writer of many self-help positive quotations. He kept abreast on local/world politics and always looked forward to a good debate. He was a master builder who created beautiful and unique additions to his homes and businesses, but, most of all, he loved to garden. He gained great pleasure in sharing the fruits of his labor with his family and friends.
Mr. Nicholas took the greatest pride in his son, who was the focal point of his life. They shared an unbreakable bond of friendship, loyalty and love for each other. He will be tremendously missed by his son, family, and friends.
At Mr. Nicholas” request, he was cremated and all services will be private. Contributions in his memory can be made out to the Peter Nicholas Art Institute at P.O. Box 692, Southborough, MA 01772, for support in art education.
