SPRINGFIELD – Nicholas "Nick" Stavarakis, 97, of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, March 12, 2023. Nick passed into Eternal Life at the Life Care Center of Wilbraham surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in West Springfield on October 19, 1925. He was raised and educated in West Springfield and moved with his family to Crete, Greece. Nick returned to the United States in 1946 and lived in Springfield and attended Springfield College. For his country, Nick served 34 years in the United States Air Force and retired as a 'Master Sergeant.' Nick always regretted having to retire from the Air Force at the age of 60 because he loved his military duties and his numerous allies and contacts that he had made. Nick was employed as a 'lithographer and photo engraver' for many of the local Springfield area newspapers and advertisers. Nick was a lifelong active member of 'Saint ' George Greek Orthodox Cathedral' in Springfield. Nick was one of the original annual 'GLENDI' Greek Festival organizers and 'PILAF' chairperson for many years. Nick was also a member and former President of the Parish Council where they created and secured a new 'endowment fund' for the Cathedral and made sure it prospered and flourished. Nick volunteered and worked very hard for the Cathedral's Bingo Committee. Nick was very proud of his Greek heritage, especially that of his Cretan roots. He was a lifetime member of the 'AHEPA Association' a 'Mason' with the Mount Orthodox Lodge A.F & A.M. formerly in West Springfield and a member of the 'American Legion.' Nick became quite active in the 'Pancretan Society of America,' reaching and fulfilling local, state/district and national positions and status. Nick worked diligently for the assurance of the posterity and preservation of his beloved Cretan culture, traditions and ethnicity. He was outgoing, persistent and enjoyed engaging with his family, neighbors, friends and strangers wherever he went. Nick's family would like to sincerely thank the nurses, social workers, medical staff and caregivers at Life Care Center of Wilbraham for their attentive help and dedicated concern and thoughtfulness to Nick during his stay with them. Nick leaves his two loving daughters, Cleo Stavarakis Mavrelion and her husband, Charles, of Windsor, CT and Diane Stavarakis of Cazadero, CA. Nick will truly be missed by his loving and devoted brother, Andrew Psilakis of Longmeadow; his fond and caring sister in law, Helen Psilakis of Springfield; and his many dear nephews, nieces, grand nephews, grand nieces and loyal friends. In addition to his parents Helen and George Psilakis, Nick was predeceased by his wife Helen; and two brothers, Christos Psilakis, and Emmanuel Psilakis who was killed in Crete during World War II during the Nazi Occupation; and sister, Argiro 'Lula' Sophinos; his dear sister in law, Doreen Psilakis; and his dear brother in law, James Sophinos. Nicholas will Lie in Repose on Friday, March 24, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. to be followed by a Funeral Service at 11:15 a.m. at Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2320 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01107. His Burial with United States Air Force Military Honors will be private at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. His funeral arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre - Phaneuf. Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 22 Saint George Road, Springfield, MA 01107 or the Cretan Association, 'Minos Crete' General Fund, 35 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104.