Nicholas Lailas' Obituary
Nicholas Lailas
With sadness yet so much love, the family of Nicholas Lailas announces that he passed away on October 13, 2024 at the age 92 in Falls Church, Virginia surrounded by family.
Nick was the type of man whom you thought and hoped would live forever. He was born on March 2, 1932 in Jersey City, NJ to mother Christine and father Ernest Lailas – their only child whom they affectionately called Nicky. Ironically, Col. Charles Lindbergh’s baby was kidnapped on that same day in nearby Hopewell, NJ, and there was later suspicion that Nicky was the stolen child because he was also blonde and had blue eyes.
He grew up in Jersey City until the age of 5, when his parents relocated to Miami, Florida to the home which he and his wife Elaine still maintain as permanent residence today.
From a young age, Nick experienced a lot. In 1937 at just 5 years old, Nick witnessed first-hand the explosion of the Hindenburg Blimp in Lakehurst, NJ. At age 12, he was sent to The Catskills Mountains all by himself because his mother was sick and his father had to work. He learned how to order room service, play baseball with the staff, and swim in the lake on his own.
He was just 13 on the day that World War II ended. He happened to be in the movie theatre; the movie stopped and the director came out to the stage and announced the war was over. Nick ran home to his mom to tell her the news. She took him to Times Square where they celebrated. His Mom turned to him and said, “Nick, you will remember this day for the rest of your life!” and he did.
Nick once shared cocktails with Audrey Hepburn, and also met Clark Gable in Miami. When Gable saw Nick staring at him, he said “Yeah kid, it’s me!”
Nick graduated from Miami High School, Summa Cum Laude.
Nick was a student at Johns Hopkins University for 2 years and then joined the US Army at Fort Dix where he enrolled as a Medic. When asked if he knew how to insert a catheter, he said yes, and then promptly went to the library to study all night to learn how to do it. He served two years receiving an honorable discharge, earning the Good Conduct of Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
At 24, Nick fell head over heels with the love of his life, Elaine, who was 7 years his junior. The year was 1956, and Nick already knew Elaine’s sister Mary. He called Mary to ask how he could meet her sister. Mary said both of them worked as cashiers at local coffee shops and suggested a day Elaine would be there. Nick came in to order coffee and was introduced to Elaine. It was love at first sight. Their first official date was December 6th, also Nick’s Name Day, St. Nicholas Day. On their third date, Nick asked Elaine to marry him.
Nick was a lifelong Miami Hurricanes football fan. He was also an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan from the age of 7, especially for outfielder, Stan Musial; he would listen to games on the radio.
Nick graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude, Chemistry, University of Miami, 1961, Graduate Study of Life Sciences, University of Virgina, School of Medicine, 1961 – 1964, Master of Science, Technology and Management, American University, 1971.
Upon getting married, Nick and Elaine moved to Charlottesville, VA. Their son Niko was born there. Eventually, they moved to Northern Virginia, where their daughters Kristina and Evangeline were born, and settled in McLean, VA.
Nick went on to work as a federal employee, serving in the US Government for 37 years, first for the Department of Defense’s Life Science Administration, and then the DOE and FEMA. Later, at the Environmental Protection Agency, Nick helped write and get enacted the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act. He retired in 1998, and then went to work at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami to establish a Brownfields program. Nick was an environmentalist well before his time. He and his family planted 150 White Pines in their backyard in honor of Arbor Day when they lived in Mount Vernon. The family was introduced to recycling in the 1970’s.
Nick was a truly genuine man with a wonderfully sarcastic sense of humor, and a friend and father figure to many. Nick was fascinating telling his many extraordinary experiences; he could talk easily to anyone he encountered- all ages and different backgrounds. He was never prejudiced and stood up for others well before the Civil Rights Act was enacted. “He was a man of the highest integrity and strong character and always willing to stand up and defend his values even when that was not politically correct. He showed courage when faced with adversity and always did so with grace,” recalled his former boss.
On early Saturday mornings, Nick could be found liming the soccer fields for the kids’ games. He was a great cheerleader at all his kids’ sporting events, and attending his children’s performing in music concerts and recitals. He always encouraged his children to “be at your best – always and never give up.”
A very proud Greek-American, Nick would happily tell you about his ancestral ties to Sparta and Kalamata. He and Elaine were very involved with the Greek Orthodox communities of St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, Virginia, St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bethesda, Maryland, and St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Miami, Florida. Nick was also an experienced traveler, and loved his trips with Elaine to Alaska, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Fiji Islands, France, Greece, Hawaii, Holland, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Nova Scotia, the Panama Canal, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, United Kingdom, US Virgin Islands, Wales, and all over the United States.
In his later years, Nick never identified himself as an old person, had a perpetual young spirit and truly enjoyed a good party… always the last to leave!
He loved his family deeply and greatly, and above all his love and devotion to Elaine and his children and grandchildren. and was an especially proud Papou to his grandchildren. Nick leaves behind his wife of 66 years Elaine, his son Niko, daughters Kristina and Evangeline, daughter in law Lynn, sons in law Joshua Putterman and Mike Emanuel, and six grandchildren: Nicholas and Alexandra Lailas, Elias and Genevieve Putterman, and Savas and Tess Emanuel. He was also dearly loved by his 3 sisters in law and brother-in-law, 13 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews, 3 godchildren, and so many extended friends and family. Nick will be truly missed.
Donations can be made in Nicholas Lailas’ name to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Miami, Florida at https://saintsophiamiami.org/sacraments/memorials/
What’s your fondest memory of Nicholas?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nicholas?
Share a story where Nicholas' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nicholas you’ll never forget.
How did Nicholas make you smile?
