'Uncle Nick' of Nick's 22nd Street in Shelby Township Dies In SD Car Crash
The community mourns the loss of Shelby Township restaurateur Nikolaos Andreopoulos of New Baltimore.
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The community is mourning the loss of Nikolaos Andreopoulos, the owner of Nick's 22nd Street Steak House in Shelby Township.
For nearly 20 years, "Uncle Nick", as Andreopoulos was referred to, has greeted residents at his restaurant with his warm smile.
"He was very friendly with people. He was a very outgoing guy," said Andreopoulos' son, Harry.
Andreopoulos, along with three of his friends from Macomb County were killed in a crash Wednesday in South Dakota early Wednesday morning when the vehicle they were traveling in collided with a semi-truck.
The victims are driver Wesley Allen Frasard, 71, Ledger John Frasard Jr., 68, William Edward Petrocy, 77, all of St. Clair Shores, and Andreopoulos, who lived in New Baltimore.
Thomas Edward Thorngate, 52, of St. Clair Shores was seriously injured and remains at Aberdeen, S.D., hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The four friends were in South Dakota for a hunting trip, according to Andreopoulos' family.
Funeral details have not been sorted yet as the family awaits for Andreopoulos' body to return from South Dakota. However, the family said they have secured the EJ Madziuk and Sons Funeral Home on 18 and Ryan.
"The amount of phone calls from friends and acquaintances has been unbelievable," said Bill Andreopoulos. "I never realized how many people my dad’s life touched."
The restaurant remains open and under the leadership of Andrepolous' sons, Harry, Bill and George.
Nick Andreopoulos leaves behind his sons, daughters-in-law, seven grandchildren and wife, Eleni.
"We couldn’t be more proud of him," said Bill Andrepolous. "He was everything to us and has been a great dad."
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Marina Cracchiolo
1:36 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
So sad. I know Mr. Andreopoulos will be dearly missed. My heart goes out to his family.
Mary Larson
3:45 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
I have know NIck for alot of years. He is one awesome man. He will be dearly missed.
Melissa Wolvertion
5:40 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Andreopoulos family. Uncle Nick will be missed by so many.
Pat Suits
5:40 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
So sorry. Was shocked when I got the news. Your dad will be missed. He was fun to talk to. Two in one week is so sad. Dennis From Mr. B's also passed away this week. May Nick and Dennis Rest in Peace. God's Blessing to all.
Amy Schultz
3:28 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012
Stunned and saddened to hear this awful news. We all knew him as Uncle Nick, & we all loved him. I worked at the bank next to the restaurant, & so many of us frequently went there for food, drinks, or just to hang out & talk with the family. Such a wonderful bunch too. Nick & his 3 sons are some of the nicest men you will ever meet also, & he will be dearly missed by so many. This is also the first place I met my husband in person. He walked over from the restaurant to the bank, & to this day, we still go there. Such happy memories there for us, & my former colleagues. I will continue to frequent there, as it always feels like home as soon as you walk in. My heart goes out to the family. Uncle Nick will never be forgotten. God Bless.
Dan Bovinich
3:28 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012
He was such a nice guy. He came and talked to us all the time when we came over for lunch on Sunday afternoon. He will be missed greatly!
Richard Bellomo
3:28 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012
So sorry for the loss of your father, my father was good friends with Nick.
Bellomo family.
Psalm 23:6 NASB
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Lauri Skowronek
3:28 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012
What a sad week! Two resteraunt ICONS and well loved in our community gone so suddenly. Makes us appreciate life especially with all the recent tragedies in our country and the Holidays so close upon us!
Denise Obrecht
3:28 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012
I am in shock, as are a lot of people. My husband Tom and I are regulars at Nick's. He will be missed! Our prayers of peace and comfort to his family.
caroline chetosky
3:28 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012
Shocking news. He truly was a blessing and a man who made u feel like family when u walked in his resturant.
Kristal Stergiou
3:28 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012
Rest in paradise Theo Niko!
Liz Sierawski
3:28 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012
He was so important to my family. We will miss him tremendously. We loved him as a part of our extended family.
Vicki Fransen
5:23 pm on Saturday, November 10, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family and friends . I am live in the area where the accident happened and it hit even closer when I heard they all where from ST.Clair Sores . I used to spend ever summer there with my grandmother. My god bless all of you David and Vicki Fransen Aberdeen, SD
Denise Buscemi Chirco
5:23 pm on Saturday, November 10, 2012
What a sweet man that always greeting us with a smile and a story. Nick was the kindest of men with a special sense of family. Shelby twp has lost a true asset to the community. Condolences to the family.
Phyllis Evans
9:49 am on Monday, November 12, 2012
John, Phyllis, & John Evans
It was easy to come into Nick's restaurant. You felt the humor and fun instantly. His love always ended in humor. I had told him I had a triple bypass and he told me we were both members of the zipper club. I can't remember a time that we didn't end up laughing. Nick I am sure you have your prayer beads and that you will help the Lord put smiles on your family's face.. We will miss you dear friend! You will be loved forever by the Evans' family.
Tina DiBernardo
9:23 am on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
I was totally shocked and devastated to hear the news! I worked for the family and thats what they were "FAMILY" . They were all great to me when i lost my own father 2 years ago. To all of you, I am so sorry for this tremendous loss! I feel it too! Uncle Nick, I will surely miss you! Tina DiBernardo
JenniferRowley
10:12 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
My prayers go out to uncle nick's family. We have know him for many years and he was such a warm caring person. I remember this one very special time when we went to the restaurant to eat and my son at that time was 3, he had wanted mac and cheese and uncle nick said I will make you mac and cheese special for you. Uncle Nick made my son chicken alferado. Josh (my son) said it was the best mac and cheese he ever had. Josh is now 17 and still calls chicken alferado uncle nick's mac and cheese. He was a very special person who will be greatly missed.