Nick Varitimos' Obituary
Nick Varitimos, 97 years old, passed away peacefully at the Nevins Nursing Centre in Methuen on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
Nick was born in Lawrence to parents Savvas and Helen Michalopoulos. A native Lawrencian, Nick was a 1943 graduate of the Lawrence Public School system. In 1948, he completed a two year course at the Bon Vesper George School of Art, in Boston.
Nick served a career as a 38-year Postal Clerk. He was not only the chief founder of the APWU (American Postal Workers Union), but also started the first “Area Local” in 1969, of which now there are tens of thousands. Nick was elected, and served as APWU Union President for over two decades. He served postal employees of the Merrimack Valley and beyond with contract disputes and pending arbitration options. In 1970, Nick was cited for his leadership and participation during the historic and successful nationwide Post Office “WORK STOPPAGE."
He was only a teenager when he became a veteran of WWII. His military odyssey took him to the Pacific Islands of Leyte, Luzon, and Honshu. He contracted malaria and ultimately was honored with a “wounded in action” citation, or Purple Heart.
Nick was an elder member from the Lawrence and Andover Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox church. A multiple time elected member of the Parish Council, he was also the recipient of the Boston Metropolis St. Andrew medal. He was faithful to his Hellenic heritage- retaining language, customs, and traditions.
During Nick’s active lifetime he had been a 47 year “AHEPAN.” He was a life member of both the Julian Stopyra Post (PAV) Lawrence, and Methuen VFW Post 8349, affiliated with National Active and Retired Federal Employees #343 (NARFE). He was also a member of the Hellenic Square and Compass Club, and John Hancock Lodge AF and AM of Methuen.
Nick was married for 53 years to the love of his life, Helen Batsakis, who passed in 2012. He was a loving and providing husband and father, caring grandparent, and the pillar of the family. He is predeceased by his brother Theodore Varitimos, and wife Madeline. He is survived by his daughter, Maria Varitimos and her fiancé, Aaron Burtsell of Methuen, and son, Christos Varitimos of Lawrence. Nick leaves behind nieces Eleni Varitimos and Nina Edwards, and beloved grandchildren Charelle, Christin, Tayla, Kaileigh, Tianna, Brett and Savvas. He also leaves behind six great-grandchildren and surviving cousins in Greece.
Calling hours will be on Friday, April 5th from 4:00pm-7:00pm at John Breen Funeral Home, 122 Amesbury Street, Lawrence, MA. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, April 6th at 1:30pm at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 71 Chandler Rd, Andover, MA. Burial at family plot, Bellevue Cemetery, Lawrence.
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