Obituary of Nicholas Goudes

Nicholas T. Goudes Mr. Goudes, 89, passed away on April 5, 2010 at Presbyterian Hospital. He is survived by his companion, Florence Hatzis, and his children: Athanasios Goudes, Athena Goudes Clunan, Vera Goudes and Hermes Goudes, all of Charlotte, and adopted son James Goudes of Kannapolis. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Alma Stettler Goudes, and their daughter, Sharon Goudes Doggett. He was blessed with nine grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Helen Diamantopoulos of Athens, Greece, sister-in-law Vera Stettler Otterstadt and brother-in-law Burkhardt Otterstadt of Monroe, NC, sister-in-law Stella Goudes of Sparta, Greece, and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Goudes was a native of Sparta, Greece. He was born on March 15, 1921, the son of the late Athanasios and Athena Goudes. Mr. Goudes moved to the United States in 1947. He pursued various business opportunities in Oklahoma City, Boston, Baltimore, and New York City, where he met the future Alma S. Goudes. Nick and Alma Goudes moved to Charlotte in 1957. They first went into business managing the Delmonico Restaurant, Pearl Room, and Variety Club on West Trade Street. In 1958, they founded the Sharon View Country Club and enjoyed 40 years as proprietors of the Club. As host and hostess there, they made the Club the gathering place for members, organizations in the community, and private functions, creating the social hub of what was to become South Charlotte. He was the consummate host, and enjoyed regaling his family, friends and guests with stories of his colorful past, and the history of his beloved Greece. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially at his farm, where he loved raising cattle, buffalo, goats, horses, and other animals. Mr. Goudes was a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the Order of American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), and the Adelphotis Arahoviton Karyae civic league. He actively supported the Socrates Academy Public Charter School Foundation and the Greek Language School. He was an active supporter of the arts, and established the Alma Goudes Encouragement Award through the Metropolitan Opera National Council. Mr. Goudes believed strongly in higher education and was a generous supporter of academic scholarships to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, North Carolina State University, and Central Piedmont Community College. The Trisagion service and visitation will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2010, beginning at 7 p.m., at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral on East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC. Funeral service for Mr. Goudes will be held at the Cathedral on Friday, April 9, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. In his memory, donations may be made to the Alma S. Goudes and Sharon Goudes Scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223. Mr. Goudes established this fund at UNCC in memory of his wife and daughter to give back to the community that gave so much to him and his family.