Profile Image
Nick M. (Kokkinakis) Kanis
January 12, 2017

Obituary


Nick M. (Kokkinakis) Kanis, a longtime resident of Watertown passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, at the Cape Cod Hospital, January 12, 2017. He was 83 years of age. Nick was the beloved husband of Irene (Eleftherion) Kanis together sharing 55 years of marriage. Born in the village of Sitia on the island of Crete, Greece, Nick was the son of the late Michael and Eleftheria (Miliotis) Kokkinakis.

Nick was raised in Crete and educated in Athens, Greece. He came to the United States in 1961 and settled in Watertown. He was a talented machinist and model maker and worked for the Polaroid Corp for 15 years. Tired of the corporate structure and work place, Nick fulfilled his dream of owning and operating his own business, the Kanis Machine Co., which he started in his garage and grew into a very successful custom machine shop with a location in Waltham and later in Tewksbury. They made models and fabricated high tech components for many different applications in the technology fields.

Nick was passionate about his Cretan heritage and was a lifelong member of the Pan-Cretan Association of America. His involvement began at the local level as he became President of the Rathamundus - IDE Chapter of Boston. Nick was also compelled to serve as Vice President for the National Pan Cretan Association of America. The PYA is a philanthropic organization that fosters educational outreach for the culture of the Cretan Isladad providing philanthropies for the people of Crete and the island's diaspora that is spread throughout the world. Nick was also a member of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge of Masons and the Victory Lodge of Watertown.

In his leisure time Nick enjoyed staying up to date on current events both locally and worldwide. He was a real people person and loved interacting with others and always positive and supportive. He was a talented cook and was always eager to share his culinary delights with others. He was especially proud of his olive oil that came from his family's olive groves in Crete. Nick loved the ocean, fishing, and his time spent on Cape Cod.

However his greatest joy was his family. Nothing made him happier than to be surrounded by his children and especially his grandchildren whom he truly adored. They were always his main focus in life.

In addition to his beloved wife Irene, He is survived by his children, Michael Kanis and his wife Armine of East Greenwich, RI, and Maria Mangano and her husband Jim of Wilmington. He was the loving papou of Alyssa and Nikki Kanis, Matthew and Andrew Mangano.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to gather at the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn, Wednesday, January 18th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by a funeral service at the St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church, 4 Appleton St. Arlington, at 1:30 p.m. Services will conclude with burial at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. As an expression of sympathy contributions may be made in Nick's memory to the American Diabetes Assoc., 10 Speen St., 2nd Floor, Framingham, MA 01701.





Content is coming soon...
Mc Laughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Service
60 Pleasant Street
Woburn, MA 01801
781-933-0083