Nicholas Leonoudakis

Nicholas Constantine Leonoudakis passed away peacefully April 29, 2022 at age 98. Nick was born July 8, 1923 in Carbonado, Washington, the sixth of seven children of Greek immigrants Constantine and Katherine Leonoudakis.

Nick is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Trudy; three sons, Jeff (Sheila), Chris (Kimberly) and Phil (Kim); seven grandchildren, Kelli (Josh), Megan, Katie (Gabe), Erik, Maja, Nikki and Annie; two great granddaughters, Mia and Felicia and his brother Stephan. Nick grew up on Edinburgh Street in the Excelsior District of San Francisco. He graduated from Balboa High School where he was on the crew team and active in student government. In 2016, Nick and his brother Steve gave back to Balboa, funding the new Leonoudakis Center for Innovation and Design.

In 1942, Nick enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served in World War II on the USS LST #134 as a motor machinist mate, first class. He saw action in the European Theater in North Africa, Sicily, the D-Day Normandy landings as well as the invasion of southern France where he was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions in combat. He later served in the Pacific Theater which included the Liberation of the Philippines, the battle of Okinawa and the occupation of Japan. He also attended the 50th and 60th anniversaries of D-Day with Trudy at the American cemetery in Normandy, France. In 2011 he was awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal by the Consul General of France for his role in the liberation of France. For the past several years he served on the U.S. LST Association Board of Directors including as its Chairman.

Following the war, Nick married Trudy on September 4, 1949, the beginning of a long and adventurous marriage full of good times with a wide and varied group of lifelong friends.

Nick held various jobs including as a milkman for Borden’s Dairy serving the Hunter’s Point area of San Francisco. In 1953 he founded San Francisco Parking with his brother Steve, and through his hard work and shrewd business sense built the business into the largest privately owned parking company in the San Francisco Bay Area. That same year, Nick and Trudy bought a home in South San Francisco where they resided until his passing.

Starting in 1971, Nick operated the parking concession at Candlestick Park which was the beginning of a 42 year relationship with the 49ers, where he missed only one game due to heart bypass surgery. An avid 49ers fan, he never attended a home game because he was always working. He did attend four Super Bowls and traveled to many road games with Trudy including games in Barcelona, Tokyo and London. He retired at age 90 when the 49ers moved to Levi’s Stadium.

Nick and Trudy traveled extensively in later years, visiting all fifty states in the U.S., all throughout Europe and China.

Nick was blessed with a strong work ethic, outgoing personality and was a man that once met, was never forgotten. We love you Dad.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend services Monday, May 9, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 350 Dolores Way, South San Francisco. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to First Lutheran Church, 350 Dolores Way, South San Francisco, CA. 94080 or your favorite charity.