Ernest G. Nikas

Ernest G. Nikas of Ipswich passed away peacefully on Friday, September 28, 2018, at the age of 85 in the comfort of his home and the presence of his loving family.  The Nikas family is grateful to Care Dimensions Hospice nursing staff for the year-long care they provided, allowing him to remain at home with his family.

Born on October 4, 1932 at home to the late George and Vasiliki (Karambelos) Nikas of Ipswich who emigrated to the US from Greece in 1903. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Barbara A. (Solomonides) Nikas.

Mr. Nikas, was a lifelong resident of Ipswich and active member of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church often volunteering in church activities.  He was a retired property manager for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Danvers State Hospital and Hogan Regional Center and former Manager of The Hellenic Center, Ipswich, MA. He was a veteran of The Korean War serving in the US Army Infantry as PFC from 1952-1954.  He graduated from Ipswich Public Schools, Class of 1950 and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston University majoring in Political Science and History. Mr. Nikas was the first generation of his family to attend and graduate from college. He was a Master Mason, member of the Star King Lodge, Salem and John T. Heard Lodge, Ipswich and a lifelong member of the Order of the AHEPA, the largest and oldest Greek-American heritage grassroots membership organization. He was the former co-owner of the Dolphin Restaurant from 1965-1971 (now the Choate Bridge Pub).

He  is survived by his loving children Brenda Nikas-Hayes and her husband John Hayes of Westborough, Peter E. Nikas and his fiancée, Anne McLister of Ipswich, and Chief of Police Paul A. Nikas and his wife Jessica Gauvin, of Ipswich.  He was the loving grandfather to Lt. Matthew E. Nikas, US Army Reserve Military Police Corps, Noelle A. Nikas of Ipswich, Ian J. Hayes of Brooklyn, New York, Alexander C. T. Hayes of Worcester, and Sgt. Nicholas DeLoia, USMC Infantry presently deployed overseas. He is further survived by one brother James Nikas and his wife Sirmo of Ipswich, Sister-in-Law Sophia Nikas of Ipswich, brother-in-law Arthur Solomonides and his wife Catherine (Kitty) of Newburyport. Also, several beloved nieces and nephews to whom he was lovingly known as Uncle Tuckie.  

Mr. Nikas was predeceased by his siblings, Ret. Lt. Col. US Air Force Arthur Nikas and his wife Betty, Andrew Nikas and his wife Bertha, Panayiota (Pota) Nikas and her husband Earl Mace, Mary Nikas and her husband Michael Foustoukos, and Nicholas Nikas. He was also predeceased by beloved nieces Karen Foustoukos, and Elizabeth (Nikas) Markos, nephews George Nikas, and Ret. Capt. US Air Force Stephen M. Foustoukos and great-nephews, Daniel Nikas and Andrew Nikas.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, October 2, 2018 from 5:00-8:00 PM at Morris Funeral Home, 45 No. Main Street, Ipswich, MA 01938. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 8 Lafayette Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102 Danvers, MA 01923, or the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 8 Lafayette Rd., Ipswich, MA 01938.  To send a condolence to the Nikas family please go to:  MorrisFH.com .

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