Obituary of Plato "Nick" Vontzalides

Plato “Nick” Vontzalides PEABODY—Plato “Nick” Vontzalides, 85, beloved husband of Angelica (Chigas) Vontzalides of Peabody, died peacefully at the Peabody Glen Nursing Home in Peabody on Tuesday January 3, 2012 while in the comforting presence of his loving family. Born in Peabody, he was the son of the late Nicholas and Anna (Parianos) Vontzalides. He was raised in Peabody and lived in Lynn much of his adult life. He graduated from Peabody High School, Class of 1944. He also attended Boston University and Tufts University. He was a veteran of World War II, with service in the United States Navy. Mr. Vontzalides owned and operated the Franklin Market in Lynn, near City Hall, for 38 years. He continued working 10 years for the new owner after he sold the store. He finally retired 14 years ago. Plato, who was also known as “Nick” to the customers of Franklin Market, was a faithful man and longtime active with St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church in Peabody. He was a member of the Order of Ahepa, he volunteered with the annual St. Vasilios festival, Bingo, and he and Angelica established a scholarship fund there in their parents’ memory. In his youth, he was a musician who played both the Hawaiin guitar and Spanish guitar, and loved playing country music. He was an avid sports fan, and was an original season ticket holder with the Boston Patriots in 1960. He will be remembered as a gregarious and as a very generous person. He always would find a way to help and give to others through various charities. He also contributed towards Lynn Tech sports as a sponsor in the 1960’s. He will be dearly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Angelica (Chigas) Vontzalides of Peabody, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage; a son and daughter-in-law, Nick & Terri Vontzalides of North Reading; two grandsons, Andrew and Stephen Vontzalides of North Reading; a sister-in-law, Georgia (Mallaris) Vontzalides of Peabody, and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death, besides his parents, by a brother Dr. Aristotle N. Vontzalides, DMD. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather on Friday January 6, 2012 at 11 AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, followed by a Funeral Service at 12 Noon in St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church in Peabody. A visitation will be held on Thursday from 5 – 8 P.M. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the St. Vasilios Endowment Fund, 7 Paleologos St., Peabody, MA 01960.