Nicholaos I. Batouyios

Nicholaos (Nick) Batouyios, age 83, of Verona, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026, surrounded by family and dear friends. He was the loving husband of 38 years to the late Janet Batouyios; devoted father of Kelly (Charles) Nelson and Alex Batouyios; proud grandfather of Ava and Adelaide Nelson, in addition to three grand‑pups—Shiloh, Gordy, and Camden. He was the son of the late Yianni and Kalliopi Batouyios; brother to five siblings; and uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Born and raised on the island of Ikaria, Greece, Nick immigrated to the United States as a young man. He met Janet, and together they eventually settled in Verona, just down the street from his brother, where they raised their two daughters. Nick worked for many years as an industrial painter, but his life outside of work was where his creativity and spirit really would shine. And you only had to look to Nick’s backyard to see one of his most impressive and legendary projects.

Nick took great pride in the backyard he leveled by hand, turning it into a tiered vegetable garden he tended for decades. He grew zucchini, peppers, green beans, lettuce, squash, and—most famously—his tomatoes. Visitors rarely escaped without a garden tour, and neighbors often found plastic bags of produce hanging from their doorknobs on summer afternoons.

He had plenty of other passions, too. Nick loved his Penguins and Steelers, and every summer he looked forward to Oakmont’s Greek Food Festival, where he happily worked the bar late into the night.  But his true headquarters was the basement workshop, where he could be found sewing, repairing (he could fix anything), tinkering, and inventing all sorts of contraptions. Inspired by the Greek inventor Archimedes, he created all kinds of clever tools and handmade items, including custom silverware, nail clippers, and even a wallet fashioned from old cardboard, duct tape and a money clip.

Nick was also known for his signature phrases: “Merry Christmas” (Nick’s code for “I don’t buy that for a second,” usually delivered with a knowing smirk), “I can’t afford a postcard,” (his immediate response to any suggestion of buying something new), “How you do” (his trademark greeting), and “Promises are promises” (a favorite during his kids’ younger years). Stubborn, determined, loyal, and always ready to take an unnecessary risk or two—or ten—he carried his indomitable spirit with him right to the end.

It truly took a village with Nick, and his family is deeply grateful to the neighbors, friends, and aides who helped support his independence for as long as possible. Special thanks to the wonderful staff at the Willows at Presbyterian SeniorCare in Oakmont and his medical team at UPMC St. Margaret’s Hospital for the exceptional care, kindness, and support they provided throughout his time with them.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, April 19, 2026 from 1-4 PM at English Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 378 Maryland Ave., Oakmont, PA, 15139, where a Trisagion Service will be held at 1:00 PM.  A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church, 12 Washington Ave., Oakmont, PA, 15139 where an additional visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30-10:00 AM.  EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT THE CHURCH. Interment to follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, 12707 Frankstown Road, Penn Hills, PA, 15235.

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