Nicholas Trabakoolas

Nicholas (Nic) Trabakoolas, was born on April 24, 1928 in Auburn (Placer County) California , was baptized in the Greek Orthodox church, as were his siblings, Flora Jean Trabakoolas McHenry (deceased) Anthony Trabakoolas (deceased), Irene Trabakoolas Smith of Roseville, California, and Maria Trabakoolas Johnson (deceased.). His parents, Kostantinos (Gus) and Katina Trabakoolas, Karadas, owned and worked a fruit farm in Auburn. Gus and Katina Trabakoolas were Immigrants from Alatchata, Greece who came through Ellis Island. Nicholas was the youngest of their five children. He adored his parents! Nic was a long-time resident of Hamilton, Montana at the time of his death. He passed on November 10, 2011 from natural causes at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospice Center in Hamilton.
As a small child Nicholas played in the orchards on the family's farm. He also helped his family by working in the orchards. In addition to fruit the family had sheep and goats on their farm. Nic and his siblings spent hours in the pond on the corner of the property, they collected dandelion greens for their mother and enjoyed the warm summers of Auburn. Nic attended Alta Vista Elementary School in Auburn, California.
As Nic grew older he loved race cars. He became a race car driver (#57) on the race tracks of Auburn and Roseville. They called him "The Wild Greek". Later on in his life he helped raise several of his nieces while their mothers (Nic's sisters) worked out of town to support their families. He was a firm disciplinarian but a loving role model. He was always there to help when family needed any kind of support. He was a very generous man, a loving Uncle and a wonderful friend to those lucky enough to know him.
Later Nic moved to Upper Lake, California and worked for the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS). He retired from CALTRANS due to a back injury and moved to Hamilton, Montana because "It had the mildest winters in Montana, and great hunting." Nic was a skilled hunter and outdoorsman. Hunting was his passion. His dog, Cinderella was never far from his side. He built his own home on his property and enjoyed a good life in Montana.
Nicolas Trabakoolas is survived by his sister, Irene Smith of Roseville, California, niece, Denys Kellogg of Milpitas, California, niece, Lynnie Morgan of Concord, California, nephew, Jonathon McHenry of Walnut Creek, California, niece, Charlotte Garber of California, niece, Diane Toulson of Vancouver, Washington, niece, Stelene Galaxidas of Sacramento, California, and niece, Cheryl Johnson McCoy of Citrus Heights, California.
Nic was a wonderful man full of love. He had a darling laugh, and a huge heart. He always had a warm handshake and a moment to talk with you. Now he is with his parents whom he adored and with other family members who have passed before him. We miss him and always will. Thank you for your love, Uncle Nic, for always being there for us and for being our friend. Thank you for your humor and your twinkling eyes. You are in God's care now ... better hands there will never be. We will see you some day and we will laugh together again.
The family wishes to extend our heart-felt thanks and deep appreciation to Mary and Jim Moranville, of Hamilton, Montana, Nic's wonderful neighbors for being such great friends for so many years to Nic and for taking excellent care of him while he was sick.
A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, November 19th at Grantsdale Cemetery in Hamilton.