Honorable Nicholas Tsoucalas,
The passing of the Honorable Nicholas Tsoucalas marks the end of an important era in the history of Greek Americans. Our community should remember this man for his greatness and his simplicity, in setting an example for how to live, love and leave a legacy.
He was born on August 24, 1926, in New York, one of five children of an immigrant from the island of Nisyros, George Tsoucalas, and his wife Maria Monogenis. George Tsoucalas owned a well-known restaurant in Harlem, Le Petit Paris, for 40 years. It was there under the tutelage of his father that young Nick learned how to deal with people. While he had to be tough and street-wise in his neighborhood, he encountered all sorts of clientele at the restaurant, from common citizens to prominent community leaders such as Gov. Thomas Dewey, and celebrities like Duke Ellington. One of his childhood friends was James Watson, who became a trail-blazing African American judge. He treated them all equally, with the same combination of rough-around-the edges graciousness and an impish sense of humor that were his trademarks.
Judge Tsoucalas was a devout Orthodox Christian throughout his life. He was a youth leader at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Washington Heights during the 1940’s. As an adult, he served and worshipped at various churches in New York, including the Annunciation of the Theotokos Church on the West Side of Manhattan, Transfiguration of Christ Church in Corona, Queens, and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Shrine Church in Flushing, New York. He often counseled priests and hierarchs, including Archbishops Athenagoras, Michael, Iakovos, Spyridon, and Demetrios on community and legal matters. An imposing portrait of Patriarch Athenagoras hung above his desk and he was never shy about proclaiming his faith. In 1987, he was named Archon Hartoularios by Archbishop Iakovos and he served on the National Council of the Order of St. Andrew for over 20 years. The Archons honored Judge Tsoucalas with the Nicholas J. Bouras Award for extraordinary stewardship in 2015, an event attended by his family and hundreds of friends.
The judge was deeply loving and devoted to his wife Catherine, whom he married in 1954 at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Together they raised two daughters, Stephanie and Georgia, and were proud and doting grandparents of Victoria, Nicholas, Catherine, Vivian and Christina. His judicial office was festooned with pictures of his grandchildren in frames, computer wallpaper, mousepads, and anywhere else he could sneak an image of them. But sadly, he lost Catherine last year after over 60 years of marriage, and her loss weighed heavily on him in his final months.
Another facet of his life was his patriotism and devotion to the United States of America. In 1944, toward the end of World War II, at age 18, he joined the U.S. Navy, and serving honorably in the fight against fascism. In 1951, he was recalled into the Navy and fought in Korea aboard the USS Wasp. Throughout his career, he never flinched in his dedication to America and the ideals for which she stands. Though a staunch Republican, he cultivated friendships with people of all political stripes, including New York Mayors John Lindsay and David Dinkins as well as Senator Alphonse D’Amato, Governor Mario Cuomo, and countless other politicians on all sides of the aisle.
Alongside his loyalty to America, Judge Tsoucalas was a great Hellene. He proudly marched in innumerable Greek parades, was a longtime member and officer of AHEPA, and co-founded what is now the Hellenic Lawyers Association in New York. They and other Greek organizations heaped honors on him, but he preferred merely to enjoy the camaraderie and Greek dancing than to bask in glory. He was a regular attendee at Greek-themed galas and festivals and he could dance circles around just about anyone doing a syrtaki or kalamatiano.
Of course, his great career was focused on the law. After graduating Kent State University, he received a law degree from New York Law School in 1951. Judge Tsoucalas served as an assistant to United States Attorney Paul Williams in the 1950’s, where he developed a strong network of supporters and friends. He entered private practice, with a specialty in immigration and maritime law. But he was itching for more than just private legal work; he wanted to contribute more to society. He ran for office, and was the Republican nominee in 1966 for Manhattan Borough President, losing to the legendary Percy Sutton. In 1968, the opportunity to serve arrived when he was appointed a judge of the Criminal Court in New York. He sought election to the Supreme Court of New York in Queens, but had little chance to win there as a Republican. So he remained in appointive state courts, until President Reagan nominated him to the federal U.S. Court of International Trade in 1985. Like today, the U.S. Senate was mired in political gridlock and he did not finally get confirmed until almost a year later. But he served with great distinction for 30 years, occasionally filling in as a judge on criminal or civil matters in other federal courts.
Judge Tsoucalas remained deeply loyal to his roots. He was quick to help a deserving fellow Greek if he thought an injustice was being done. And the Judge’s stable of devoted law clerks and interns over the years was heavily loaded with Greek names as well as New York Law School graduates. Years ago, a scholarship was established in his name at the law school, funded by his former clerks, who continue to meet annually at a commemorative dinner. As one of those former clerks (from 1990-1992), I learned from Judge Tsoucalas about hard work, humility, honor, patriotism, faith, loyalty, grace and not least, a sense of humor. We were privileged to be part of his circle, and we benefited from his willingness to guide, mentor and help those who asked.
Walking the streets of Manhattan by his side, I was often awed by the network of friends who greeted him with a smile and an occasional off-color joke. That network included prominent people such as his fellow Nisyrian John Catsimatidis, or Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro, as well as just about every hot dog vendor east of the Mississippi.
He received many well-deserved honors in his life, but perhaps the greatest honor would be knowing how many others have sought to follow his example. In a world where people seek to be praised and honored, Judge Tsoucalas sought decency and fairness, with a devotion to God, country and family. He has left a tremendous legacy and I join the thousands who have been touched by him in thanking him and wishing him a joyous eternity in Heaven. May God bless his soul, and may his memory be eternal.
John C. Stratakis is a partner in law firm of Poles, Tublin, Stratakis & Gonzalez, LLP.
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