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Nikolaos ‘Nick’ M. Roussos, Rehoboth legend

January 17, 2021

Nikolaos "Nick" M. Roussos, 85, passed away at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, with his closest friends and family present on iPad and his two daughters there at his bedside.

He was a local business owner and resident of Rehoboth Beach for about 60 years. Nick was born July 23, 1935, on the the tiny island of Lefkas in Paros, Greece. His late father Michael N. Roussos, a veteran of the Greek Navy, immigrated to the United States, gained citizenship during WWII and sent for his family soon after. At age 16, Nick started on his journey to the USA along with his late mother, Anna Hanyotis Roussos, and older brother Stamati M. Roussos of Canton, Pa., hoping to achieve the American Dream. Their ship docked in East Orange, N.J., and his bright future began.

He learned the English language and traditions, finished high school and started his first career as a professional barber. During these years he met a great Italian man who taught him the art and skill of pizza making. He moved to Rehoboth Beach and took the town by storm. Along with presiding on the board of directors of County Bank as a large shareholder (and one of the start-up investors), he dabbled in real estate, purchasing, owning and renting out homes and apartments to both locals and summer visitors in the Sussex County area for a number of years; was a car dealer and enjoyed earning money in the stock market.

He is mainly known in his adult life for being "The Nick of Nick's Pizza." He opened/operated three Nick's Pizza locations and one Nick's Sandwich Shop, two in Rehoboth, one in Ocean View, and another in Bethany Beach, from 1964 to 1998. His treasured recipe won "Best of Delaware" in 1985 competing against many top pizza shops in the state. Nick's Pizza earned an A while the now well-known Grotto Pizza earned a mere D- that year. He also ran and later owned the Beach Luncheonette (Dolle's building) on the north end of the Rehoboth Boardwalk from 2000 to 2010, whereafter he retired and went home to Greece for a much-deserved vacation.

A dedicated, loving father of four, he is survived by his son, Michael N. Roussos, daughter-in-law, Anna Pogka and grandson Stamati M. Roussos of New Castle; his son Stephano N. Roussos of Rehoboth Beach; his daughter, Anna N. Roussos and grandson Niko L. Bivens and granddaughter Shaydn L. Bivens of Princess Anne, Md.; his youngest daughter, Kostantina "Dina" Roussos and her fiancé Anthony Fusco of Millsboro. He is predeceased by his wife, Joyce N. Roussos (deceased 2005) and still loving her, carried her photo in his wallet til his last day on Earth.

He was a bright star to everyone who knew him. He couldn't go to the grocery store without making a "friend in the checkout line,"  was smart-as-a-whip and the most hardworking, selfless, giving, kind soul you could ever meet. He was loved by all who knew him and will be missed fiercely.

Friends/family are invited to attend his Memorial Ceremony held at St. Andrew's Orthodox Church, Lewes, Sunday, Jan. 24, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.  Donations, flowers, condolences for the family may be sent for Nick Roussos in C/O Father Herman @ St. Andrew's Orthodox Church.

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