Nikolaos Kokorotsis
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Nikolaos Kokorotsis, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, November 11 at the age of 93.
Predeceased by his children, Nancy and Peter; sisters Elizabeth (Paul) Votsis and Olga (Evangelos) Nakis; and brother Apostolos (Zoi) Kokorotsis. Survived by his wife, Pauline; son Michael (Elina); and grandchildren Nancy and Mariella, along with loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and many friends.
At just 16, Nikolaos left Flambouro, Greece for Australia while his family waited for the opportunity to immigrate to the United States. He spent eight years living and working alongside his cousins in Australia before coming to the United States around 1958 to reunite with his family. A few years later, Nikolaos and his brother, Paul, opened their first restaurant, Midtown Restaurant on Clinton Avenue, in Downtown Rochester, followed by Olympic Restaurant on Main Street. In the early 80s, Nikolaos opened his own restaurant, Greece Athena on Mt. Read Boulevard, and after retiring from the restaurant business, he managed multiunit apartment buildings, spent winters in Florida as a snowbird, and enjoyed more time with his family.
Nikolaos lived a long and full life, finding joy in exercise, gardening, and travel. He loved to tinker, and he was happiest when he had something to take apart, figure out, or fix. Of all the ways he spent his time, those long walks with his granddaughters, Nancy and Mariella, hold a special place in his family’s memories. A devoted husband, father, and pappou, Nikolaos will be remembered with love and deeply missed by his family.
Calling hours will be on Monday (November 16th) at 10 AM at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 962 East Avenue, followed by the Funeral Service at 11AM. Final resting place in Mt. Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church or Cooley’s Anemia Foundation in his memory. For more information and to sign his online guestbook, visit www.meesonfamily.com.