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Nicholas G. Cominos passed away Sunday, March 11 just after midnight, surrounded by his loving family. He was 82.
Nick was a United States Marine Corps Sergeant in the Delta Company, 1st Marine Division, where he reenlisted into service, spending 19 months fighting in the jungles of Vietnam from 1968-1970, where he also received his Purple Heart award. His first enlistment was in 1958, at just 18, where he spent eight years before being honorably discharged. He also was a retired USMC rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Nick was featured in a book called Death Valley, The Summer Offensive, by Keith William Nolan, which was a detailed account about combat in Vietnam.
Nick attended Indiana University, Bloomington, where he met the love of his life, Linda. They were married in 1971, and had two daughters. In 1983, he opened his own business, US Agency Insurance Company, retiring in 2004.
Nick was an avid golfer, and he also loved to ride his Harley and drive his Z06 Corvette. He was very popular and active in the Lake County Amateur Radio Club as W9UM, where he was a founding member and had won many awards for his ham radio skills. He was a purest CW (Morse Code) operator who could still copy code at 40 WPM in his head. Additionally, he had his license as a small engine pilot! If you found Nick indoors, he would most likely be cheering on IU during a basketball game, rooting for the Bears during football season or cursing at the Cubs playing baseball.
Nick is survived by his two daughters whom he loved tremendously, Anastasia (Dimitrios) Bairaktaris of Crown Point and Alexandra Cominos of Crown Point, and his sister Mary (Kirk) Baldauf of Wisconsin. He is preceded in death by his wife, Linda; his mother, Demetra Chakos; and mother-in-law, Golda Thompson.
Family and friends may visit on Thursday, March 16 from 3-7:00 p.m. at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft Street in Merrillville, with the Trisagion at 3:30 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday, March 17 at 10:00 a.m. at Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 8000 Madison Street in Merrillville. Internment to follow at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville.
Memorial contributions can be made in Nick’s name to Disabled American Veterans at www.DAV.org or to Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
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My Thoughts and Prayers go out to all of Nick W9UM Family and Friends and he made all of us in the Amateur Radio Community Vey Proud to of known Him 73 Nick Now talking to the Angels Don KA9QJG
Big Nick taught me to play chess. I wrote to him when I was a kid while he was in Vietnam. Although I grew taller than him, I still looked up to him. Godspeed cousin Nick.
I will miss our conversations, his smile our daily walks around the house his will, strength ,and courage that he had. Nick was such an awesome guy. I will tremendously miss you nick.
On behalf of myself and the Lake County Amateur Radio Club, please accept our deepest condolences.
As I knew him, Nick was man of few words, but when he spoke… he was eloquent, precise, and I valued his opinion.
From our conversations, it was easy to tell was most proud of; his family, the people he had helped with his business, his service to this country, his Greek heritage, and being an American.
At Nick’s funeral service, I realized I could only hope that when my time comes, I will be as respected and loved by so many.
Nick was a wonderful neighbor and friend for many years. He will be missed. Rest in peace 🙏 🕊