Nicholas G. “Nick” Vretakis died Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, surrounded by family and friends. Nick was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he completed both his primary and secondary education in the then excellent educational system of New York City.
Having graduated from the prestigious science-oriented Brooklyn Technical High School, he entered New York University and graduated in 1953 with a B.S. Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. While attending NYU, he became a member of the U.S. Air Force ROTC program. Upon graduating, he was called into active duty during the Korean War. He was stationed at WPAFB, Ohio, where he worked in the Structures Lab for the DOD. Once he completed his military obligation, he chose to remain at WPAFB working as a civilian employee of the DOD.
While in Ohio, he met and married his wife of 64 years, Voula, and together they made their home in Kettering, Ohio. In 1964, Nick accepted a position in the U.S. Air Force Liaison Office to NASA, and he and his family moved to Virginia making their home in Newport News.
In 1968, he returned to NYU, where he earned an M.S. Degree in Industrial Engineering. Nick was an unpretentious and private man whose greatest joy was his small family, his wife, his son, daughter-in-law and his two grandchildren, who he adored and whose successes and accomplishments gave him his greatest joy. He was an active member of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church and he served in many capacities at the church, including the Parrish Council. He was an active member of AHEPA and served as the local chapter’s president in the mid-1960s.
Nick is survived by his wife, Voula; son, Dr. George Vretakis (Emily); two grandchildren, Nicholas and Kristen; brother-in-law, Dr. Kostas Myrsiades (Dr. Linda) and their families; and many relatives here and in Greece.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5, at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church. A Trisagion prayer service will begin at 7 p.m. following the visitation. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church with the Rev. George Chioros officiating. Interment will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.
