Nick Daniel Christy passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, overlooking the bay in Newport Beach, California, on March 24, 2012 after a hard fought battle with lung disease. Nick was born on April 27, 1929 in Highland Park, Michigan. He was the oldest of three sons born to Daniel and Toula Christy, both originally from Kyparissia, Greece.
Nick was very spiritual and committed to the Greek Orthodox Church. Over the years he was a contributor to many Greek Orthodox charities, he loved St. Sophia Cathedral, was a supporter of the Diocese of San Francisco while under the leadership of Bishop Anthony, and he was the first president of St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, California. Nick was particularly honored by his investiture in 1982 as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the highest lay honor conferred by the Greek Orthodox Church.
Nick was a natural-born food salesman and he achieved the pinnacle of success in the foodservice industry. Nick took great pride in founding and growing Christy Foodservice Enterprises, a foodservice brokerage with regional and national impact, through sales of such products as soups, pies, cakes, tuna, rice, tea, and guacamole to regional and national restaurant chains and distributors. Nick stayed active in the foodservice industry continuing to represent lines that interested him until the end.
Nick will most be remembered by those who loved him as one who was totally committed to his family and loyal to his friends. He was devoted to his wife Connie, as she was to him until the very end. From the time Nick met Connie Gianaris, he was smitten with her grace and beauty. They were blessed to have been married for more than 57 years. They had two children, their loving daughter Pamela and their beloved son Daniel, who predeceased Nick. One of Nick’s greatest joys was spending time with Pamie and her family, her husband, John Peterson, and their children Christopher, Connie and Stephen Peterson. Whether it was for a family barbecue in the back yard, receiving “technical assistance” from Christopher for Nick’s computer and printer, playing a spirited card game with Connie or an impromptu Greek lesson with Stephen, Nick loved and adored his family and they loved and adored him. Nick also held a special place in his heart for Dan’s children Nicholas and Anna. Nick is also survived by his dear brothers Bill Christy (Nina) and John Christy (Mary) and their respective families and numerous other nieces and nephews with whom he stayed close through the years.
The Trisagion will be held Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. and funeral services will be held on Thursday March 29, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., both at St. Sophia Cathedral, 1324 South Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Nick to the St. Sophia Foundation Building Fund.
