Nicholas Billias
Groton Long Point — Nicholas Billias passed away 24 hours before his 90th birthday. He had battled many chronic illnesses over the past nine years.
The last three years, he endured over 19 hospitalizations. He lived independently in his home under the daily care of his loving and dedicated daughter Elaine. He suffered for over three years. Nicholas was a fighter, a true Spartan, who fought a great fight. His daughter was there to advocate for him on a daily basis. He had a personal CNA, a relative, who also took care of him over the last nine years. He was also under the care of a Southeastern CT VNA over the last four years. He became very ill this past Nov. 22, and was admitted to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London for seven weeks with aspiration pneumonia and anemia. He went to Fairview, where he stayed for a short time. He got sick with aspiration pneumonia in January, and the prognosis was not good. However, Feb. 15, Elaine knew something was wrong again. On Tuesday, Feb. 16, he was admitted back to L+M Hospital, but now with bilateral pneumonia. He was put on palliative care until he passed peacefully.
Nicholas was born in Sparta, Greece, on Feb. 20, 1931. He was the son of Peter and Evangeline Billias. He married Katherine Sakellarides on July 22, 1962, in Athens, Greece. He was in the Greek military and served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. He received three Medals of Honor for his service. In 1964, he was the original founder of the Pizza Palace in Groton. In 1973, he received his real estate license from Lee Institute. He went on to purchase many properties in Groton Long Point, making 64 Atlantic Avenue his permanent residence. In 1976, he opened Farm Maid Stores Inc., a convenience store and franchise. He operated the Mystic store until 1990, when he sold it. In the early ’80s, he opened
Mystic Amusement Emporium and Groton Amusement Emporium, which he operated until the late ’80s when the Pac Man phase was over and then sold both businesses. His latest venture was Sunglass Paradise in the Olde Mistick Village, which was successfully owned and operated by his daughter Elaine from 1993 to 2001, when it was sold.
Nicholas was predeceased by his wife, Katherine, on May 2, 2009; and his brother John Billias on Jan. 12, 2006. He is survived by his daughter Elaine Billias of Groton Long Point, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Nicholas will be remembered as a great father, a very bright, charismatic individual with a passion for life. He had a great personality and a great sense of humor. Nicholas was an original and a very generous person. In 1988 and 1989, he did the Jail for Bail for the American Cancer Society and raised over $5,000. In recognition, he was awarded a trophy. Nicholas was a very professional businessman, a true gentleman, and a mentor to his daughter, who learned a great deal from him. Nicholas touched many people’s lives throughout his lifetime. Nicholas enjoyed traveling with his daughter to many places, including Las Vegas, California and Greece. Now on we go to where the light shines bright, and may Nicholas rest in peace in eternal heaven with his brother, his wife and all family members.
There will be a one-hour calling hour at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m., all with proper social distancing and masks. All arrangements will be made by Labenski Funeral Home. Nicholas requested that all donations be made in his memory to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 247 Washington Street, Norwich, CT 06360.
The Labenski Funeral Home, Boswell Avenue, Norwich, is entrusted with arrangements.