Petros Nicolaou

Petros Nicolaou, 87

CONWAY, SOUTH CAROLINA…Petros Nicolaou, 87 passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his wife and children on the morning of Friday, March 27, 2026.

Petros was born June 28, 1938 in Nicosia, Cyprus, a son of Nikolas and Styliani (Sofoklis) Nicolaou.

Petros met his beautiful wife, the former Maro Malotithou in Cyprus and they shared 69 wonderful years of marriage.

He moved his family to the United States on October 30, 1971 and began working at City Datsun as a mechanic. In 1973 he began working for General Motors of Lordstown in their paint department and retired in 2001 with 28 years of service.

 To continue to provide for his family during a strike at GM he opened Pete’s Arco Gas Station in Campbell, Ohio. He had both of his sons working with him after school manning the gas station while he worked on cars. Petros worked very hard to support his family of four children and sometimes traveled to other countries just for work.

Petros and Maro lived in Campbell for 43 years. Upon moving to Campbell, they joined Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church where he liked to help in the kitchen for their festivals and was part of the Cypriot Society.

Petros was very involved in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives and was deeply loved by all. He liked to hunt, fish and garden (He had the best figs in Campbell!). Most of all he loved to host Sunday family dinners with Maro where he made souvla and souvlaki for thirty plus people. Family was his pride and joy and would do anything for them. Traveling across the United States with his children and their families, along with beach vacations was something he looked forward to. Remaining deeply proud of his heritage he often enjoyed traveling back to Cyprus.

In 2014 Petros and Maro moved to Conway, SC where he continued his hobbies in much warmer weather. A year later they were joined by his son Gus and his family who moved next door to enjoy retirement together. Petros and Maro immediately became members of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church where they were soon well known and loved. Petros was a very pious man who along with his wife led a very Christian life devoted to fasting and attending church. He made many pilgrimages to the Holy Mountain of Mt. Athos where he was blessed enough to meet modern day Saint Paisios and during a visit to Saint Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery in Arizona, he was fortunate enough to meet its founder, Elder Ephraim.

Petros will be deeply missed and always remembered by his wife, Maro of Conway, SC; his children, Nick (Lisa) Nicolaou of Niles, Kathy Rogenski of Campbell, Costas “Gus” (Lisa) Nicolaou of Conway, SC and Stella (Nick) Opencar of Campbell; sixteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren with another on the way, who live in Ohio, Nevada and Colorado with their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ulysses; sisters, Frosa and Evrifiki; daughter-in-law, Tracie Nicolaou and granddaughter, Jessica Skelly.

The Nicolaou family has entrusted Petros’ care to the Wasko Funeral Home in Campbell, Ohio. Calling hours will be held Monday, April 6, 2026 from 9-11am at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church in Campbell, Ohio followed by a Funeral Service at 11am officiated by Father Steve Denas.

Petros will be laid to rest in Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Cemetery in Campbell, Ohio.

A bereavement luncheon will follow at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church Hall.

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