Nick Sotiropoulos

The world lost a wonderful man on November 6th, when Nick Sotiropoulos went to be with The Lord.    Papa Nick, as he liked to be called, was born in Salonika (Thessaloniki) Greece in 1932, where he learned to love life.  He, his parents and extended family endured the German occupation of World War II. When he turned 18, his parents, knowing his potential, sent him to the United States to build a better life. He emigrated to Savannah GA, where he learned to speak English and met the love of his life, Beverly Myrick. With Beverly’s support, and while having 3 children, Nick went to Georgia Tech, where he earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering. Nick had to pay out of state fees to attend Georgia Tech.  To do so he worked 6 months in the Savannah paper mill and then went back to GT for 6 months.  He continued this dedicated routine for 7 years to earn his Bachelor's degree.      After graduation, Nick went to work for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (U.S. HUD), until 2004, where he helped to design and build affordable housing at several cities around the nation.  Nick’s U.S. HUD duties brought him and the family to Port Harcourt, Nigeria for two years, to build better housing for the residents there. After Nigeria, they moved back to Atlanta, then to Jacksonville, FL in 1973, where Nick and the family decided to make this their permanent home.    Papa Nick was the kind of person who showed he cared about you and everyone. He was always smiling. He always remembered names and faces. If you came from another country, he would say a few words of greeting in your language.  If you served him in a restaurant, he asked about you, and your plans; he encouraged you to get your college degree. He always wanted to know about you.     Papa Nick is survived by his beloved wife, Beverly, his daughters Toula Wootan and Denise Gaitanzis, his son, Alex, and his grandchildren Mark Wootan and Christine Gaitanzis. He was preceded in death by grandson Philip Wootan.    Family will receive friends at 10:00am and memorial services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, November 10, 2017 in the Redeemer Anglican Church, 4815 Executive Park Court, Suite #201, Jacksonville, FL 32216 with The Reverend Bill Driscoll officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that for donations in Nick Sotiropoulos’ name to Community Hospice and Palliative Care of Jacksonville, FL, or to the Jacksonville Humane Society.