Nick Agouridis, a Greek immigrant who became a successful local businessman, died early Sunday morning at the Hospice and Community Care in Mount Joy. He was 83 years old. Nick was born in a small village on the island of Chios, Greece. The youngest of four children, he was raised by his sisters Maria and Angeliki, after his mother died when he was very young. As a young teenager, Nick traveled to the Greek mainland, where he worked in his uncle's store. He joined the Greek Merchant Marines a few years later and traveled to India, Cuba, and other countries. While visiting his aunt Eleni Mountis in Lancaster in 1955, he met Koula Galanos, who later became his wife. Nick worked at his uncle's Red Rose Restaurant in downtown Lancaster for several years, where he learned about business and discussed current affairs with many of the regular customers. He taught himself to read and write English by studying the Wall Street journal in his spare time, and saved his money to open restaurants of his own, including the Tastee Freeze in Mount Joy, the Jumbo Restaurant in Landisville, and the Greek Gourmet and Ice Cream Works in Park City. For decades, he was a reliable presence at the Park City Food Court, where countless people would stop by to say hello and small children would have the special experience of making their very own ice cream cone behind the counter. Nick was especially proud of the four massive fig trees in his back yard which grew from cuttings that he brought from Greece. For Nick, the annual harvest every August came to symbolize the many wonderful opportunities that his life in America provided to him, and he shared buckets of figs with neighbors, friends, and restaurant customers. Nick's passion for learning and his entrepreneurial spirit exemplify the American dream. He was committed to duty and the country that he came to love. Because he experienced famine as a small boy in Greece, he developed a strong commitment to helping his local community. For years, his restaurants provided jobs for the hundreds of people whom he employed. The Mount Joy Jaycees honored him with a community service award. Nick was a devout member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Lancaster. He is survived by Koula, his devoted wife of 63 years, his daughters Leona and Despina, and three grandchildren, Nick, Elena, and Alexis. A viewing will be held from 9-10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 64 Hershey Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603. A Funeral Service will begin at 10:30 AM officiated by Rev. Hector Firoglanis. Nick will be laid to rest at Conestoga Memorial Park.