Nicholas Demetry Gemolas

While his family jokes that he had nine lives with a great ability to rebound from difficult situations, Nicholas Gemolas treated his one life as a gift.

Ever the optimist for nearly 93 years, Nick always found a way to make the best of hard situations–looking for beauty in the world, a reason to celebrate, a new friend to meet, or a way to serve others.

In 1972, Nick took a 2-week trip to Greece to meet extended family and better understand his roots. When political unrest made it difficult to travel home, he extended his stay and came home two years later with a new wife and a baby boy.

And in 2007, when Nick lost the ability to stand or walk, he never complained about his transition to a wheelchair. He would later use that motorized wheelchair to take fussy grandbabies for speedy rides up and down his hallway–turning tears into giggles and memories.

And on July 11, 2024, after a short illness and hospitalization, he found the strength to tell his family he loved them before taking his last breaths and joining his wife, Sofia, who had passed away exactly 6 months before him.

Nicholas grew up in Detroit, Michigan. After losing his parents young, he remained close with his brother, Pete, who preceded him in death in 1997. In the early 1950’s Nick served in the Marine Corp during the Korean War as an auto mechanic. When he returned, he gravitated to work in the food industry–both serving as a butcher as well as a fast food restaurant manager.

In 1972, Nick had a strong desire to meet some of his extended family in Greece. There he met his wife, Sofia. On April 1, 1973, they married at St. Nicholas Church in Kozani, moved to a town outside of Athens, and a year later welcomed their son, Demetry. Nick returned to the United States in 1974 with his wife and six-month old son, choosing Kansas City to be near his brother.

In 2011, Nicholas and Sofia moved to Frederick, MD to be close to Demetry and his wife, Anna, with the hopes of becoming grandparents. Known as Papou to his three grandchildren, Sofia (11), Nicholas (8) and Emilia (5), Nick loved time with his grandchildren. And they loved time with him–celebrating holidays and birthdays, playing games, doing puzzles and making treats. As Papou loved sweets, the children invented the “Papou cupcake” towering with icing.

His family will remember him as loving, friendly, resilient and optimistic.

A funeral service will be held at Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church at 920 West 7th St in Frederick, MD on Friday, July 19 at 11:30 a.m., preceded by a visitation at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the “Accessibility Project” of Saints Peter and Paul to improve handicap accessibility to the church so that all can attend services - https://campaigns.tithely.com/89249-sts-peter-paul-goc/accessibility-project-plegde-campaign