Nick James Damalas
December 21, 1936 – September 3, 2025
Nick James Damalas, 88, of Huntley, IL passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife and daughters on September 3, 2025.
Born in Chicago in 1936 to Greek immigrants, James and Stella Damalas (nee Smyrniotis), Nick spent his early years participating in Boy Scouts, delivering groceries, playing the saxophone, and ushering at the Civic Opera House which is where he developed an appreciation for opera. Nick graduated in 1955 from Austin High School in Chicago where he was an Air Force Cadet. He served in the Air Force Reserves from 1954 until 1962.
Inspired by his sister Vasiliki who worked for United Air Lines and enjoyed the travel benefits, Nick got a job with United. After spending one winter working on the tarmac at O’Hare (Douglas Field back then), Nick decided working outside in a Chicago winter was for the birds, so he became a ticket agent. From there, Nick moved to a position where he worked with stewardesses, a job he loved because he got to meet “all these lovely young ladies,” one of whom was Diana, the woman who would become his beloved wife of 57 years. Nick moved up through the ranks over his 42 years with United, ultimately becoming a flight crew scheduler until his retirement in 1999.
Nick enjoyed retired life in Sun City, saying, “I get up in the morning with nothing planned, but it takes me all day to get it done.” Never content just sitting around, he stayed active by chairing the Neighborhood Advisory Council for nearly the whole time he lived there. Nick also shared his love of line dancing by teaching dance classes for over a decade. Nick, always a creative and artistic individual, discovered a passion for sculpting in retirement and quickly filled his home and the lodge at Sun City with over 50 sculptures, mostly of cowboys/girls, and native Americans. Nick also enjoyed traveling, playing poker, participating in the Greek Club, and taking his grandkids for golf cart rides around the neighborhood.
Nick was a loving husband to Diana, and devoted dad to Dawn and Deb (Sam) Aprile. He was a doting papa to Austin (Codi) Meehan, Savannah (Ishmael) Ariza, Jackson Meehan, Lexington (Akesh) Ramsawack, Clayton Meehan, Brooklyn Meehan, Dominick Aprile, and Cameron Aprile; proud great-grandpa to Colynn, Sage, Daniel, Islah, and Isah; caring uncle to a niece and nephews; and loyal friend to many who will dearly miss him and his calm patience, sense of humor, positive attitude, and wisdom.
Nick was preceded in death by parents James and Stella Damalas, and sisters Vasiliki Aravosis and Argero Zaverdas.
A Celebration of Nick’s Life will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025 from 1:00 to 4:30 in the Birch Room of the Prairie Lodge at Sun City, 12940 Del Webb Blvd, Huntley, IL 60142. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Glioblastoma Research Organization in Nick’s name are appreciated.
It’s not the years in your life that count; it’s the life in your years.
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