TARPON SPRINGS - Nick G. Cretekos, a mail carrier and a longtime auctioneer at the Tarpon Springs Sponge Exchange, died Thursday (April 15, 2004) at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital. He was 87.
Mr. Cretekos was a native of Tarpon Springs who, excluding his military service, lived his whole life in the same house on Tarpon Avenue. He graduated from Tarpon Springs High School in 1935. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, including at Guadalcanal, and was a mail carrier in Tarpon Springs for 28 years, retiring in 1978.
"They were delivering on bicycles back when he was working," said his son, George Cretekos, who works as an aide to U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Indian Rocks Beach. "Tarpon was still a small town. I guess half the town knew Daddy and depended on him for their mail. He was their point of contact."
Mr. Cretekos also served as chief auditor at the St. Petersburg Kennel Club for 41 years.
He was a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the Old Timers Club, American Legion Post 46 and Tarpon Lodge F&AM No. 112.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Frances Cretekos of Tarpon Springs; a son, George Cretekos of Clearwater; a daughter, Leah Cooper of Safety Harbor; a brother, Socrates "Odge" Cretekos of Tarpon Springs; a sister, Helen Arfaras of Tarpon Springs; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at Vinson Funeral Home, 456 E Tarpon Ave. The funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, followed by a burial at Cycadia Cemetery.
