Nicholas John Birbilis' Obituary
Nicholas John Birbilis, age 93, passed away on December 12, 2018 at his home in Pennsauken, New Jersey surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of the late Helen Papadeas Birbilis; dear father of John Birbilis (Effie), Peter “Takis” Birbilis (Ninita), and Effie Murphy (Tom); brother of Kimon John Birbilis (Marianna) of Athens, Greece; brother-in-law of Diana Birbilis (wife of the late George Birbilis); and loving grandfather of six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Nick is preceded in death by his father John Nicholas Birbilis, mother Aphrodite Abariotou Birbilis, and his twin brother George John Birbilis.
Nick was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on February 26, 1925, but spent the majority of his youth with his family in Athens, Greece where he graduated from the Third High School for Boys of Athens in 1943. As a teenager during World War II, he was active with his brothers in the resistance against the German occupation of Greece and the Communist uprising. After his return to the United States, Nick proudly served as a Staff Sergeant in the US Army for two tours: first during WWII as part of the Army of Occupation of Japan, and then again during the Korean War.
Between wars, Nick met the love of his life, Helen, and they became engaged to be married. But soon the nation called once more. Fully aware that they might never see each other again, Nick nonetheless left Helen and reported for duty for the Korean War. For the next two years, they wrote to each other every single day and eventually, after his successful return, they were married, raised a family, and remained united together for 58 long happy years.
After attending the University of Pennsylvania and the Radio Electronics Institute of Philadelphia, Nick was employed by RCA Aerospace and Defense Systems Division in Camden, NJ as an Electronics Technician and Program/Project Administrator. During his 37-year career at RCA, Nick worked on numerous top-secret government defense and space program projects.
An active member of the Greek-American community, Nick served as president of both St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church then located in West Philadelphia, PA as well as president of St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill, NJ where he was a founding member.
Nick was a loving, considerate, and generous family man, a devoted husband, a loving father, a loyal brother, a favorite uncle, and a cherished grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a patriot who answered his nation’s call when his countries, both Greece and America, needed his service. A true member of the “greatest generation,” he will be greatly missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to join his family at a prayer service on Monday, December 17th from 6:00-8:00 pm at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church, 615 Mercer Street, Cherry Hill, NJ, 08002. An additional gathering of family and friends will be held at St. Thomas church the following morning on Tuesday, December 18th beginning at 11:00 am followed by the funeral service at 12:00 noon with internment at Locustwood Cemetery, 1500 Marlton Pike West, Cherry Hill, NJ, 08002. Flowers are accepted at St. Thomas by 4pm Monday. Donations to the church are also accepted.
To share your fondest memories of Nick please visit:
https://www.givnish.com/obituaries/Nicholas-Birbilis/
Family services provided by Inglesby/Givnish Funeral Home 398 East Main St., Marlton, NJ. 08053. (856) 452-5090
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