Nicholas Joseph Topougis

Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather fell asleep in the Lord on Thursday, September 20, 2018.
Nick was born on November 27, 1934, in Piraeus, Greece, to Joseph and Katina (Tsoanou) Topougis. He came to the United States with his mother and brother in 1939 on the last ship to leave Greece before the German blockade. They came to join their father who was already living and working in Akron. He graduated from Akron East High School. Nick received his Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education in 1957 and Master's Degrees in Guidance Counseling and School Administration from The University of Akron in 1966 and 1968. While at the university he completed ROTC and was commissioned as an Army Second Lieutenant and was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. His work ethic was developed at an early age when he began working at a grocery store at the age of 12, building tires at Mohawk Tire Company at 16, working on railroads, and through college at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
He began his education career with the Akron Public Schools in 1961 serving as a teacher and guidance counselor at Thornton Jr. High, then continued in administration as a Vocational Guidance Coordinator, Director of Career Education and later as Director of Staff Development at the Staff Development Center. Nick served on the Board and as President of the Ohio Career Education Association, Board of Directors of the National Association of Business, Industry, and Education, and the Board of Directors for the Ohio Social Studies Curriculum Council. As a result of the success of the Akron Schools Career Education Program, it was selected by the United States Office of Education as one of the most successful in the nation. Building on this success, he provided consulting and advisory services to the United States Office of Education and to school districts throughout Ohio and the nation who wished to implement the Akron Schools' Career Education model. Nick retired from the Akron Schools in 1991.
Nick served as an Army Officer in the Infantry and Military Intelligence branches for 28 years, on active and active reserve duty, retiring as a Lt.Colonel in 1986. He was the recipient of the following awards: Meritorious Service, two Army Commendations, Army Achievement, National Defense, Armed Forces Reserve, American Defense Commemorative, Armed Forces Expert Marksmen, and Cold War Victory Medals. He was a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College where he served also as a senior instructor.
In post retirement, Nick served on the guidance staff of Archbishop Hoban High School, Executive Director of the Ohio Center for Law Related Education and Ohio's Mock Trial Program, State Coordinator for the "We The People" Program and in later retirement, instructor for Project Learn.
He was a member of the Akron Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation where he served on the Parish Council for many years as well as its President. Nick was the National
President of the Asia Minor Hellenic American Society and member and President of the local AHEPA chapter. His memberships included the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Military Officers Association of America. Most recently, he was inducted into the East High School Alumni Hall of Fame.
Most importantly, he lived his life as an Orthodox Christian and as husband to his best friend and wife, Artemis (Stratos) for nearly 57 years. He was an excellent provider and completely devoted to his family. Nick was extremely proud of his daughters, Torie (Larry) Crockett, Niki-Marie Topougis, and Trina (Matt) Hulthen. His grandchildren, Nicholas, Cameron, Laynee, Lily, and Temi who filled him with hope for the future and entertained him endlessly. His greatest pleasure and satisfaction was having the entire family gather for celebrations and holidays. His favorite pastimes were golfing, working around the house and yard, and having long discussions with his wife. Nick also was blessed with the company of many beloved nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
He is survived by his wife, daughters and grandchildren. Also his nephew, Joseph (Diane) Topougis and niece, Stacie (Nicholas) Neros; brother-in-law, George (Irene) Stratos and sister-in-law, Theresa Stratos. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Katina Topougis; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Andreas and Maria Stratos; his brother and sister-in-law, Anthony and Anna Topougis and brother-in-law, John Stratos.
Services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 25, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union St., Akron 44304, with Rev. Fr. Jerry F. Hall and Fr. Andrew Lentz officiating. Interment with Military Rites at Rose Hill Burial Park. Friends may call 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 24, at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., Akron with a Trisagion service at 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Parish Scholarship Fund or the Bartz Camp Scholarship Fund in care of the church. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)