By Lauren FitzPatrick
Staff writer
The story goes that Nick Theodossopoulos came to the United States in 1970 with $200 in his pocket, and within a year, he bought his first of many businesses that culminated in Nick’s Gyros in Lockport.
The rest of that story his family tells is that he emigrated in the first place to marry a woman he had never met, one he only knew through letters and photographs.
Both his wife, Betty, and his restaurant are still around, and his family is determined they’ll succeed without him.
Mr. Theodossopoulos died unexpectedly Dec. 11 of a heart attack. He was 61.
“He liked to serve people and make them happy,” his eldest daughter Sophie Plakias said.
Born in a small village in Greece in 1943, Mr. Theodossopoulos worked as an electrician there. His marriage was arranged through extended family using photographs. The marriage was a happy one, even 35 years later.
“They met by a picture,” Plakias said. “They agreed upon it, and they brought him here, and my mom was already here. They matched, and the rest is history.”
He arrived in late February. The pair got married at city hall within days and had a church wedding in May.
When it came time for him to get a green card, he and his new wife, now pregnant with Sophie, tried to tell customs agents they weren’t marrying to get him a green card. But they slipped up and were caught in a lie. Luckily the customs agents had a good sense of humor and congratulated them on their marriage and pregnancy: “Go get drunk, come back in an hour and get your green card!”
Mr. Theodossopoulos had to change occupations because he didn’t speak English. He worked in an uncle’s restaurant on Chicago’s North Side and within a year had bought the business.
“He’s continuously had his own businesses ever since,” Plakias said. “Very few times he had to work for somebody.”
The entrepreneur continued to buy and sell businesses, including various Nick’s Gyros in Calumet City, Glenwood and Park Forest.
Mr. Theodossopoulos was also one to laugh. He was a kind boss who joked constantly. He’d work the drive-through window in winter so his girls wouldn’t get cold standing in the draft. He trusted customers to come back with money when they lost wallets.
“He was so giving,” Plakias said. “Everybody went to my dad for loans. He never questioned; he just gave. A couple of people ripped him off, but he didn’t care.”
He liked cooking for people and serving them, Plakias said.
“Every year he would throw an anniversary celebration for the customers — everything half price.”
He didn’t have to work but he enjoyed it, especially when his three kids went to work there with him, Plakias said.
“He was a comedian; he made it fun,” she said. “We didn’t go to work to work; we worked to have fun.”
Mr. Theodossopoulos was planning a big party for February when he would mark 10 years in Lockport. Others will now pick up where he left off.
“His family is going to carry on his dream,” Plakias said. “We’re going to continue with success the way he would want it to be.”
Name: Nick T. Theodossopoulos
Born: Sept. 27, 1943, in Greece
Died: Dec. 11, 2004
Survivors: Mr. Theodossopoulos is survived by his wife, Betty; his daughters Sophie Plakias and Genie Theodossopoulos; son Tim Theodossopoulos; two grandchildren, Victoria and George Plakias; brothers George and Steve Theodossopoulos; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorial service: Arrangements are by Damar Funeral Home, (708) 496-0200.
