After attending technical high school in mechanics and metal trades, Nikolaos began his life’s journey as an apprentice engineer in the Greek Merchant Marine. He sailed on cargo ships and oil tankers traveling between ports from Canada to South America. He resided in New York City after coming to the United States, where he met and married his wife. Nikolaos attended HVAC school and after graduating he began work on commercial heating and cooling installations as a metal trades journeyman for New York Steamfitters Local 638. After his children were born, he relocated his family to Belleville, Illinois to be closer to his wife’s family. He became a member of St. Louis Construction Laborers Local 42 and worked for several large construction firms including Fred Weber, Alberici Corporation, and Don C. Musick Construction.
After retiring he spent his time enjoying his grandchildren and his two favorite hobbies: cooking and gardening. He had the world’s greenest thumb because he could make any plant or tree grow and produce.
He and his wife attended services at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Swansea, Illinois, as well as St. Peter’s Cathedral in Belleville, Illinois. They often enjoyed spending time at The Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois.
Nikolaos was preceded in death by his parents, Michael N. and Milias, nee Klontzas, Kourinos; by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Cletus M. and Louise A., nee Fellner, Koesterer; and by his brother-in-law, Andreas Kapetanos.
He is survived by his wife, Jane A Kourinos, nee Koesterer; his sons, Michael N. (Stacy) Kourinos, and Peter A. (Amanda) Kourinos; three grandchildren, Abby, Samantha, and George; a sister, Maria Kapetanos; two sisters-in-law, Carol R. (James) Wright, and Myra L. (Jesse) Wottowa; nephews, Dimitri Kapetanos, Brian and Joseph Wottowa, and James and David Wright, and nieces, Aimalia and Athanasia Kapetanos, Eileen Kanoski, and their families.
Although he loved flowers, the family urges you to make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in lieu of flowers as a memorial for Nick or to any of the above mentioned churches. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: A private visitation will be held Thursday, January 7, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Private funeral services will be held Friday, January 8, 2021, at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Swansea, IL.
Private family burial will be held.