Nicholas Papanicholas

Nicholas Epamenondas Papanicholas, Sr. of Mount Prospect, Illinois was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 27, 1948 to the late Epamenondas and Irene (nee Solopoulos) Papanicholas. He passed away unexpectedly but peacefully surrounded by his family on December 20, 2016 in Arlington Heights, IL. He grew up in Oak Park and attended Oak Park-River Forest High School then went on to Northern Illinois University. After college, he went to work for Emery Worldwide where he met the love of his life, Nancy (nee Dawson). They married in 1978 and have 4 children Nick Jr. (Katie), Joe (Abbie), Tony, Gina (Nick) Bertolini. Proud Papou of nine grandchildren Maggie, Joey, Nicky, Sammy, Gus, Luke, George, Rocky, and Baby Bertolini. His sisters Efthymia (the late Christ) Bekas and Lisa (the late Rick) Raysa. His in-laws the late Thomas and Patricia Dawson, Jan Ramion, John and Linda Vigna, the late Thomas & Merrily Dawson, Bob and JoAnn Dawson, and loving uncle to countless nieces and nephews.Nick was the founder and President of Nicholas and Associates, Inc., Architectural Door Solutions, Inc., and most recently the Mount Prospect Ice Arena. With a small construction opportunity in 1978, Nick took his vision and turned it into a multi-million dollar construction enterprise, building schools, churches, park and recreation, and municipal projects throughout Illinois & Wisconsin. From 2006 thru 2016 he led his firm to the top of the K-12 construction industry, handling all construction & capital needs for over 35 local school districts. He was a brilliant businessman, whose practicality, indefatigability and vision could take the smallest idea and execute it. As vast as his business accomplishments were, his persona was even more so. He had a magnetic personality. He was a great story-teller, who could effortlessly entertain a room full of people with his jokes and his ability to find the humor in any situation. He was a friend to all, and a friend for life. He was just a “regular” guy who treated people with respect and compassion. An extremely kind and generous man, giving was Nick’s thing. His life’s mantra was “If you give it away it all comes back ten-fold”, and he spent every minute giving every inch of his being to those around him. Anyone who knew him, loved him. Anyone who loved him, wanted to be near him. He was the rock of the family and will be sorely missed by all. Visitation will be held at Cumberland Funeral Chapels (8300 W Lawrence Ave, Norridge, IL) on Thursday, December 22, 2016 from 3 – 9 pm. Friends and family are asked to meet at St. James Catholic Church (820 N Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL) on Friday, December 23, 2016 for funeral Mass 10 am.Nick was passionate about providing an opportunity for any youngster to play ice hockey, especially those kids with a disability. In lieu of flowers, the Papanicholas family has asked that donations be sent to the Hornets Sled Hockey Team, 859 Oakton Street, Elk Grove, IL 60007. The Hornets Sled Hockey team provides an opportunity, at no cost, for any individual with a physical disability to participate in the great sport of hockey. The Hornets are funded 100% through donations.