Nicholas "Nick" Thomas Mathes

Nicholas Thomas Mathes "Nick" , 90, of Winston-Salem, passed away peacefully in his home on June 14 surrounded by his family's love. Nick was born March 10, 1934 in Klapsi, Greece to Thomas Nicholas & Fotini Hamberis Mathes. His early years were spent in his beloved village of Klapsi, where he expressed his adventurous and mischievous spirit accompanied by his equally mischievous friends, many of whom he remained close to until the end. During the Greek Civil War, Nick was separated from his family fleeing a siege in Karpenisi. His family frantically searched for him, fearing he'd been captured by the Communist Party. Fortunately, Nick had fallen into the Greek Nationalist Camp & was safely returned to his family after 3 terrifying days. After enduring the unspeakable hardships of war, in 1949 Nick was brought to the United States by his father in pursuit of a better life. After attending RJ Reynolds High School, Nick served in the US Army in Fort Jackson, SC. He translated his drive for success and strong work ethic into becoming a lifelong restaurateur. His restaurants included N&J in downtown Winston-Salem which he owned with his brother Jim, Four Season Drive-In, the original Cagney's on Cloverdale Ave. & Cafe Arthur's with his son, Arthur. Nick met his beautiful and devoted wife of 63 years, Maria Tsiokannas, at a dance hosted at the former Robert E Lee Hotel. Nick and Maria were married on April 16, 1961 and raised their family in Winston-Salem. Nick was a lifelong member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church where he served on the parish council and volunteered his time in various capacities. He was also a lifelong member of the Evrytanian Association Velouchi. His sharp wit and sense of humor always made Nick a favorite among his friends whom he loved to meet for coffee for McDonald's to debate politics and reminisce about "the old country." Always the devoted "Papou", he relished in entertaining his beloved grandchildren with his colorful jokes and humorous stories of his youth. Nick is preceded in death by his parents; his brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Stella Mathes and his niece, Frances Mathes Nelson. Nick is survived by his loving wife Maria; his son, Thomas (Frances) of Cary, his son, Arthur (Kimberly) of Advance and daughter, Athia Nolan (Christopher) of Winston-Salem; grandchildren, Nicholas Mathes, Christopher Mathes, Catherine Mathes, Michael Mathes, William Nolan and John Nolan; his sister, Rita Georgoulias (Mike) of Winston-Salem, and his nephews, George Mathes, Chris Georgoulias (Sharon) & Tommy Georgoulias (Bethany). A Trisagion and Funeral Service will be held at 12pm June 19, 2024 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church with the Very Rev. Archimandrite Dino Carros and Rev. Fr. Constantine Shepherd officiating. Burial will follow in Forsyth Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 10:30-11:45am prior to the service at the church. Friends and family are also welcome to visit at the Mathes family home. The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the medical providers at Atrium Kulynych Memory Assessment Clinic, Trellis Supportive Care and Lory Puckett, FNP. Your guidance & support helped us navigate dad's journey & allowed us to provide him with the dignified care he deserved. In remembrance of Nick's life, charitable donations may be made to one of the following, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 435 Keating Dr., Winston-Salem, NC 27103, Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or The Shepherd's Center of Greater Winston-Salem, 1700 Ebert St, Winston-Salem 27103. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com