Obituary of Peabody Fire Chief Nick Gerakaris, Ret.

Peabody Fire Chief Nick Gerakaris, Ret., 79, husband of Ethel ( Christo ) Gerakaris of Peabody, died Saturday January 19, 2008 at his home surrounded by his family. Chief Gerakaris was born on January 22, 1928 in Peabody son of the late Andrew and Helen (Pappas) Gerakaris. He was raised in Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School Class of 1945. Following his graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a Hospital Apprentice 1st C. until being Honorably Discharged in August 1946. He later pursued his education and received an Associates Degree in Fire Science from the North Shore Community College. Chief Gerakaris began his working career at A.C. Lawrence Leather Company in Peabody. While at A.C. Lawrence he studied to become a firefighter. On January 1, 1956 he was appointed to the Peabody Fire Department as a Fire Fighter, on 8/11/63 he attained the rank of Captain, on 1/25/70 was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief and on 2/29/72 was appointed Peabody Fire Chief a position that he held for 21 years until his retirement in 1993. He was a member of the Fire Chief Association of New England, the Peabody Fire Fighter Relief Association, St. Vasilios Men’s Club, the Aheppa Chapter 119 and the Kiwanis Club of Peabody. In addition to his wife, he is survived by 2 sons and a daughter-in-law, Andrew Gerakaris of ME, Peter and Andrea Gerakaris of Danvers; 4 daughters and 3 sons-in-law, Elaine and Ronald Shah of Peabody, Christina Gerakaris of San Antonio TX, Julia and Brian Steeves of Hamilton and Lorraine and Keith Jones of Dover NH; a brother, Eugene Gerakaris of Peabody; a sister, Stella Harris of Peabody; his grandchildren, Axios, Zoe and Zachary Gerakaris, Steven, Michael and Bryan Shah, Joshua, Meghan and Victoria Steeves, Alethea Jones, Ethan and Caleb Gerakaris and many nieces and nephews. His siblings John Andrew Gerakaris and Calliope Reale predeceased him. His funeral will be held on Thursday January 24, 2008 at 9 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 20 Church St., (downtown location) Peabody followed by a service at 10 a.m. in St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, 7 Paleologos St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Wednesday 4 to 8 p.m. Burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial contributions made be made in his memory to the Peabody Fire Fighter Relief Association, 41 Lowell St., Peabody MA 01960.