Public Visitation
Funeral Service
Burial
Obituary of Nicholas Michael Mestanas
Nicholas Michael Mestanas
Navy Veteran, Fencing Hall of Famer, loving family man, 91
Nicholas Michael Mestanas passed away peacefully on January 30, 2024 at home in Pottersville, N.J.
Nicholas was born in New York City, son of Michael and Paraskevi Mestanas of Athienou, Cyprus and Vithos, Northern Greece. Nicholas spent his formative years in Manchester, N.H., where he graduated from Central High School and went on active duty in the U.S. Navy. During the Korean War, he proudly served aboard the radar picket destroyer, U.S.S. Kirkpatrick, DER-318, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Radar Petty Officer 3 rd Class. He graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, N.J., with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and later received a Master of Science Degree. At Stevens , he was a member of Chi Psi Fraternity and joined the schools’ Fencing team. In his junior year he compiled a 26-1 record becoming the first All-American fencer in the school’s history. In 1992 he was inducted into the Stevens Sports Hall of Fame. Nicholas remained a faithful Alumnus of Stevens and was active on many committees, including fundraising and scholarship. He was a member of the Edwin Stevens Society, The Old Guard, and The Legacy Group. He also served as Alumni Class President for several years. He was married to “The Love of his Life” Jasmine for 65 years and they enjoyed many mutual interests, including travelling, collecting antiques, listening to music and dancing. Nicholas joined Exxon Corporation as a project research engineer, and during his 30 years he held several staff engineering and administrative positions, travelling frequently on short term assignments in Asia, Canada, South America and Europe. Prior to joining Exxon, Nicholas was employed at American Can Company and was credited with a patent on the “Collapsible Dispensing Tube” commonly used in the toothpaste tube. His dream to live in Pottersville, N.J., a place of rural surroundings, became a reality and captivated him for the rest of his life. He retired from Exxon as a Senior Staff Engineer, and for the next 20 years, Nicholas, known as Coach “M”, was a full-time assistant fencing coach at North Hunterdon High School, Annandale, N.J. His main interest was to inspire his student athletes to excel and to always help others. He had many hobbies including improving and taking care of his home, gardening and bird watching. He was a member of the Essex Hunt Club, where he played ice hockey and enjoyed watching his sons participate in youth hockey. Nicholas served as a member of the Pottersville Fire Company for 50 years. During his time served he held the position of President and was Chairman of the Company’s annual antique show and sale for 35 years. He was a member of the American Legion.
Nicholas is survived by his wife Jasmine, his two children, Gregory Nicholas (Nicole) and Marc Michael (Lynn); his three grandchildren, Michael Nicholas, Jack Drury, and Marc Gregory; and his three siblings, Anna Dow (predeceased), Joan O’Brien, of Manchester N.H., and Fred Mestanas, of Galveston, T.X.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024 at the Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home 101 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge, N.J. at 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Funeral Services will be conducted at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 250 Gallows Hill Road, Westfield, N.J. on Saturday February 3, 2024 at 10:00 am, viewing at 9:00 am. Burial will take place at Fairview Cemetery, Westfield, N.J.
In lieu flowers, please make donations to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church https://holytrinitywestfield.