Nick W. Stamos, the son of Greek immigrant parents William and Katerina, was born in Chicago Illinois on Aug. 17, 1932 and passed peacefully on April 5, 2024 in his home in Fallbrook, CA.  He was known by all who came in contact with him as a caring, generous, kind, thoughtful, witty, smart, athletic, and very interesting man.  He loved to travel, to dance and sing.  His past-time passions were playing golf and horseback riding in full cowboy gear, until Parkinson's took away his ability to do them any longer. He enjoyed reading, particularly historical writings.  A die-hard Chicago Cub fan, he finally witnessed his team win the World Series and he felt his life was complete.

Nick is survived by his wife, Leticia and they have 3 children between them - Christina Pfeiffer, married to Rick, Bill Stamos, and Antonio Gonzales, married to Jessica. Nothing brought him more joy in the last nearly 3 decades of his life than his grandchildren - Aaliyah, Quentin, Nicholas, Sonya and Isaias.

His sister Evelyn Tragus, married to Tom, of Torrance, brought nieces and nephews and great-nieces and -nephews to Nick's life, as did his late sister Helen Bottalla, whose son Aldo Bottalla married to Jessica, of Chicago also gave Nick priceless times and memories, one being a Cub game at Wrigley Field on such a perfect, crisp October day for baseball that it brought tears to Nick's eyes. Helen's youngest son, Jimmy, passed in October of 2009.

Upon casting his lot with Leticia, Nick also gained a tribe of Maldonado/Cantu brothers (in-laws) and sisters (in-laws), nieces, nephews and cousins who adored him and considered him the best of relatives. He also was taken in with open arms by Leticia's and Antonio's extended family -  the Delgados, the Chavez's, the Arias's, the Gutierrez's, the Flores's, and more.

Nick attended elementary school and high school in Chicago and attended university for a time before being drafted into the US Army to serve in the Korean Conflict as an infantryman, later picked to serve as the Company Clerk because he was the only soldier in the company who could type ("no report could have more than 2 typos").  Nick received the United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal, among others. He returned home and finished his education with the help of the GI Bill.  He started his career with the Boy Scouts of America shortly thereafter and spent the next 37 years in the service of families, while raising his own family with his late wife, Anita, in Chicago, Las Vegas, Santa Barbara and then over 20 years in San Francisco as President/Scout Executive.  He mentored and trained scores of executives who have gone on to serve major Boy Scout councils throughout the United States. He was a proud member of Phi Sigma Pi, from which he enjoyed fellowship well into his eighties.  He also a Rotarian and a Kiwanian during his many years as a professional in the Boy Scouts of America.

When Nick retired, he and Leticia looked all over the southwest for a place to live out their lives and choose to live in Fallbrook, never looking back.  They built a home and relationships and served their community together.  Leticia taught school and Nick mentored students.  They organized the first Fallbrook A Leer/Reading Family Literacy Project, Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning, together 20 years ago.  They hit the golf links together, traveled the world together, played and prayed together.

Nick's friendships are life-long relationships. He rode horses with his friend Sam twice a week until he could no longer, and then they took up having burgers and beer and talking cowboy talk.  He spoke with his friend Skip from Chicago on the phone every week with a martini in hand.  He called his Korean war combat buddy Joe Ingeneri every Veterans'Day and rekindled their friendship. They even traveled to Korea together through the military revisit program in 2003 and were interviewed by World News Today, their 15 minutes of fame. Nick was involved in various community groups over the years which also resulted in cherished friendships.

Nick was proud of his Greek heritage and true to his Greek Orthodox faith. He lived a long and fruitful life, leaving his mark wherever he went. He is resting in God's graces now, joining his parents, his sister and sister-in-law, long-time friends, his beloved cousins from Greece and other family members who preceded him in death. Nick will continue to bless his family as they carry on his legacy of service.

Nick's family wishes to expresses its deepest gratitude to the caregivers that came into Nick's home and gave him comfort, support and security.  He was well-loved and well-cared for.  Community and friends showed up to be the face of Jesus and serve Nick as he had served others his entire life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following:

Fallbrook A Leer, Fallbrook Elementary School District, Fallbrook, CA

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Murietta, CA

North County Parkinson's Support Group, Encinitas, CA

Hospice of the Valleys, Murietta, CA