Nicholas Carras

The simple things, like pets and relaxing afternoons, pleased Nicholas more than anything else in life. These were the things he enjoyed and the things he never once took for granted.

During the early twentieth century, families from around the world came to the United States in pursuit of the American Dream. Elias and Theresa (Janetos) Carras were one such couple. They were inspired by the opportunities and freedoms America offered, so they decided to pursue them and leave the familiarity of their Greek homeland behind. When they arrived in America, Elias and Theresa settled in the growing Midwestern town of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Before long they were blessed with two daughters and two sons. The younger of the two boys, Nicholas, was born on March 28, 1922.

As a teenager growing up during the Great Depression, Nicholas seized any opportunity to do an honest day’s work. His first job was as a caddie at a local golf course. After dropping out of Ann Arbor High School, Nicholas married his sweetheart, Esther Court. They wed on August 7, 1942. On October 22 of the same year, Nicholas signed on with the Naval Reserve. Just ten months earlier, the United States had entered World War II. It was not long, therefore, before Nicholas was called to duty. He began work as a merchant marine on November 4, 1942.

Nicholas served his country for just over three years. By the time he returned home to Esther on January 30, 1946, he was looking forward to settling down. Soon, Nicholas acquired a job at a local moving company and became a fireman for the city of Ann Arbor. His income provided a modest, but comfortable life for Esther and their two children, Dennis and Dorie.

After Esther’s untimely death in 1968, Nicholas was a widower at the age of 46. But he soon fell in love with a woman named Kathryn Rider, a woman he knew would be with him for the rest of his life. From the moment they wed on March 1, 1969, Nicholas and Kathryn were always together. They soon welcomed a son, Paul, who became Nicholas’s third and final child.

Nicholas had a very traditional mentality, particularly as a father. He made sure his children – particularly Paul – knew where he stood at all times. Once, when he went to visit Paul at work, Nicholas noticed that his son was wearing two earrings. Surprised by the sight, Nicholas forced himself to keep quiet. He refused to embarrass his son with a public scolding because he needed a favor.

Nicholas retired from the Ann Arbor Fire Department in 1974 after almost 27 years of service. He and Kathryn then decided to go into business together. They took over a pet supply store in Ann Arbor, which eventually became a pet supply and stamp collecting store in one. Needless to say, it was the only store of its kind in the city.

Since Kathryn and Nicholas shared similar interests, they turned out to be great business partners. Their success was also helped by the fact that they both assumed different roles. Kathryn liked to set up displays and arrange the details, leaving Nicholas to do what he loved – interact with people. He liked to do this not only in the store, but at the various dog shows he and Kathryn attended as well. Nicholas had a gift for interacting with people, customers and fellow vendors alike. He also had a strong connection with animals, particularly dogs. His favorite show to attend was the National Sheep Dog Trials, though his favorite breed of dog was, without doubt, the Golden Retriever.

Away from work, Nicholas’s favorite place to be was on a boat with his best friend Ray Fisher. Together they would sit for hours with fishing poles in hand, waiting to reel in the next big trout. Not surprisingly, Nicholas’s fishing equipment was his most treasured possession, though his riding lawn mower ranked a close second. Nicholas would ride the mower around the yard with a trailer attached, hauling things from one side of the yard to the other. Sometimes, he would even ride to the end of the driveway in pursuit of the day’s mail.

A quiet afternoon of yard work or a day at the office with Kathryn were always something special to Nicholas, a man who refused to take these small, meaningful moments for granted. Those who shared in Nicholas’s remarkable life will always cherish the memories they created with him.

Nicholas Carras died on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. Members of his family include: his wife, Kathryn; three children, Dennis William Carras of Providence, RI, Dorie Sue Carras of Ann Arbor, and Paul T. (Tammie) Carras of Livonia, MI; and one granddaughter, Briana Carras. Nick was preceded in death by his parents, and three siblings, Dimitra, Paul and Bertha.

Family will receive friends at the Nie Lifestory Funeral Home on Monday, November 22, 2004, from 11 - 1 p.m., at which time Nicholas’s Life Story Service™ will begin. Burial will follow at Washtenong Memorial Park in Ann Arbor. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center, Attn. Susan Polan, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0033. Please note contributions in memory of Nicholas Carras, Ann Arbor Fire Department, Retired.