Obituary of Nikitas P. Handrinos

Nikitas P. Handrinos, age 96, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, cousin, and friend to many, passed away surrounded by his loving family on July 5, 2023. He is survived by his son Panagiotis and his wife Maria; his son Nikolaos and his wife Ioanna; his grandchildren Alexandra, Nikitas, Alexandra, Katina, and Nikitas; his sister Georgia (Handrinos) Lathouris; his sister-in-law Vasiliki Handrinos; his brothers-in-law Ioannis and Dimitrios Antonopoulos and their wives Vasiliki and Efstathia; as well as his many nieces, nephews, and cousins that provided comfort, love, and support throughout his incredible life. Nikitas was born the fourth of six siblings in Artemisia, a small mountainside village outside of the city of Kalamata in the Southern Peloponnese region of Greece. His early years presented extreme poverty, back-breaking agrarian work, the German occupation during WW II, and a brutal civil war. His name, “Nikitas,” is derived from the Greek word “nike,” roughly translated as the victor. After the deaths of his three eldest infant brothers, his survival inspired his godfather and parents to baptize him with the name Nikitas, in recognition of his triumph over death. Despite these formidable challenges, he believed family, education, and hard work were keys to success, no matter the obstacle or circumstance. With resolute dedication, he flourished academically and later joined the Greek police force where he rapidly ascended to the rank of sergeant. Curious of his father’s immigration to America, he was inspired by how an illiterate, yet extremely hardworking, villager from Greece could send money back to support his family. With the help and support of the Stathopoulos family (his uncle Panagiotis, aunt Vasiliki, and cousins Nicoletta and Katina), who were U.S. citizens living near Hartford, CT, he decided to immigrate to the United States aboard the S.S. Queen Frederica in 1955. In 1970, after earning a technical associate degree and working as a production manager overseeing cathode ray tube manufacturing, he launched his own business - East Avenue Pizza in Norwalk, CT. The business flourished and, in 1987, after the sale of the business, he began his next career with Cablevision of Connecticut, where he worked for another 30 years. He had a passionate curiosity of the world around him and lived a life full of learning. True to his strong beliefs, he provided guidance, inspiration, and support to his sons and grandchildren in the pursuit of their education. He was proudest when he spoke of his family. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 52 years Alexandra, his brother Christos, and his nephew Peter. The family will receive visitors at 9:00 AM on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church (238 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT). A funeral service will begin after visitation at 10:00 AM followed by burial at Riverside Cemetery (81 Riverside Avenue, Norwalk, CT). Family and friends are invited to join a memorial luncheon to honor and celebrate Nikitas’ life immediately following the service at The Norwalk Inn and Conference Center (99 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT). Nikitas treasured education and lifelong learning, so in lieu of flowers, the family wishes your thoughtful consideration be directed in his memory to a scholarship fund in his name at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 238 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT 06851.