The Greek Community was saddened to hear about the passing of centenarian Nicholas Peter Careedy (Karydis) on 14 October.
Careedy, the fourth child and only son of Peter and Marietta Careedy, was born in Mylopotamos, Kythera on the 1 March 1912. After completing high school in Kythera he remained in his village until he left for military service. He spent the first six months of service in the recruiting office of the 31st regiment in Athens and then the office of the military academy. When he got his discharge from the army, Nick completed a bee-keeping course, establishing his own business in Mylopotamos, however the economic state of the 1930’s forced him to decide to migrate to Australia.
Nick arrived in Toowoomba on the 10th of January 1937 and worked in his brother-in-law, Harry Andronicos’s cafe. He became involved with the Greek Community’s Kytherian Association in Toowoomba and served on the committee for eight years. He was also a member of TOC H and the organising committee of the Greek war relief fund. When Italy invaded Greece during WW2, he was very sorry he was not there to take part in the victory the Greek army had in Albania. When Japan bombed Darwin in February 1942, although still a Greek national, Nick enlisted in the Royal Australian Air-Force and finally was accepted in October. He served for 3 1/2 years in the security division and saw active service in Darwin and New Guinea. After he received his discharge he went to Goondiwindi for 12 months and then to Toowoomba where with Harry Andronicos they opened a drapery business.
From 1946 he was a member of the R.S.L eventually forming a Hellenic Sub-Branch. He became the foundation President and served for thirteen years. He was also given life membership in 2001 and a certificate of merit for his service. In 1951 he moved to Brisbane where he opened a frock salon in the city, became treasurer of the Greek Red Cross and became a member of the Greek community. This year Nick was honoured with life membership to the Greek Community.
In 1954, he joined A.H.E.P.A. where he served as National Supreme President and was honoured with life membership in 2004.
Nick received the “Multicultural Services Award”, from the Premier of Queensland in 1997. Three years later, he was honoured with the Order of Australia medal at Government House for his charity work.
Although experiencing much in his life, his proudest moments were marrying Nina Kalafatas in 1963, the birth of their much loved only child Marietta, who with her husband Paul, have been blessed with two beautiful children Connie and Nicholas.
In 2003, Nick, Nina, Paul, Marietta, Connie and Nicholas all journeyed over to Greece for five weeks, where Nick proudly got to show his family his homeland. They even stayed in the house where he was born. This meant so much to him.
In 2007, with the assistance of Doctor Peter Marendy, $20 000 was raised to build a War Memorial that was unveiled on Remembrance Day. The Olive tree, symbolising peace, was lovingly planted and tended by Nick. As it continues to grow, it is a reminder of Nick’s dedication to those who served in wars.
Nick was a fortunate man, living a long, happy life, which many of us got to celebrate earlier this year at his 100th birthday. Living to the grand age of one hundred Nick daily tended to his garden, loved to travel, enjoyed fishing and lawn bowls.
Over the past two months, while the family were going through the hardest time they have ever had to face, it was the love and support shown by so many that helped to get them through. Thank you must be given to many people: To Father Laurentios and Father Gregory for officiating today’s ceremony, and taking the time to visit Nick recently. Perry Panagiotakis for his chanting in church which Nick always loved to hear. He has inherited his dear father’s magnificent voice. To the doctors and staff at Greenslopes Private Hospital for their professional care, and to Nick’s incredible GP Dr Steve Hambleton who he respected so very much and the staff at the Kedron Park Medical Centre. Nina, Paul, Marietta, Connie and Nicholas, wish to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to all who knew Nick Careedy.