Remembering A Greek American Proud of His Family’s Heroism: the Late Nikolaos Douroudakis

Remembering A Greek American Proud of His Family’s Heroism: the Late Nikolaos Douroudakis

By Catherine Tsounis

“The secret of Happiness is Freedom, and the secret of Freedom, Courage.” – Thucydides (460 BC – 395 BC), Greek Historian.

These concepts of freedom and courage were part of the life of the late Nikolaos Douroudakis. Our Bayside neighbor transmitted his family’s heritage of freedom fighting to his children and grandchildren. Greek was spoken to two generations of his family. Nikolaos and his wife Dina instilled strong bonds with children and grandchildren who loved their Cretan heritage.

Nikolaos “Nikos” Douroudakis, age 79, passed away on Monday, December 9, 2024. A  funeral  service for Nick was held on December 13, 2024, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Shrine Church, 196-10 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY. The burial was at Flushing Cemetery. The 40 day memorial service was held January 12, 2025, in St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Flushing.

Nikos was proud of the sacrifice of his father who fought in two wars: “the Asia Minor Campaign from 1919 to 1922 and the Battle of Crete, WWII, a period of six years. In his  home hangs the “Certificate and the National Resistance Hero Medal”  Certificate and the National Resistance Hero Medal given by Minister Stilianos Koundouros, Department of Defense of the Hellenic Democracy on June 2, 1962, to his father Sifi Douroudakis. The Certificate reads: “This Commemorative Medal as a National Resistance Fighter is awarded to Iosif (Joseph) Douroundou (Douroudakis) of the Father Nikolas for his exceptional services in this struggle and in the organization of EAO (Ethnikes Antistasiakes Omades or National Resistance Groups) in Sfakia under the leadership of Mayor John Katsias.”

“My father was in support of the government against powers who wanted to destroy Greece,” said Nikos in a previous interview.  “There was no Civil War in Sfakia, Crete. Only in Athens and the big cities was there action. We had Vendetta.” The Douroudakis family comes from Sfakia, a pro-government, loyalist area. From young, Nikos was instilled in Sfakia heroic ethics and loyalty to family. He transmitted these values to his children and grandchildren.

Many major Cretan risings against the Venetians and later the Turks began in Sfakia. The conquerors never lived here, not only because it was a tough life in the mountains, but mainly because they were afraid of the inhabitants, who were used to living free.

We use to pass his home  and call it “the Nikos the Critiko (Nick of Crete) home.” Our Deepest Sympathy to his family and friends who were lucky to know a person who believed in Duty, Family and Freedom.