Obituary of Nicholas George Piandes

Nicholas George Piandes, a retired salesman at Bonnell Ford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 11, 2020. He was 84 years old. Nick was born in Cambridge. He was one of three children born to Greek immigrants, George and Despina Piandes. He grew up and was educated in Arlington and Somerville. He was a graduate of Somerville High School. His first real job was with Armour Meat Company. He started as a truck driver and worked his way up to become a salesman. He then worked for 34 years at Bonnell Ford in Winchester as a salesman. Being a salesman was the perfect career for Nick. He loved people and loved to talk. He could strike up a conversation with anyone about almost anything. And with Nick, it was never a quick conversation. By the end of a conversation he would know your whole life story, find a connection somehow whether it was a common interest or friend, and make you feel like you knew him for years. He had many loyal and regular customers, some generational, that he serviced during his 3 decades at the dealership. His secret to success was that he treated his customers like they were his friends. Nick embraced life and loved being about and sharing time with family and friends. He was a member of the Sons of Pericles, a social member at the Long Meadows Golf Club in Lowell, and past member of the Winchester Elks and American Legion. He was a huge fan of all Boston sports teams. He had season tickets to the Boston Bruins during the Bobby Orr years. He was an avid golfer. He would also take trips with his golf buddies to Saratoga for the horse races and trying their luck at the Las Vegas Casinos. Nick was also just as happy puttering in his garden and sharing his harvest, especially his tomatoes and cucumbers, with family and friends. Nick was a man devoted to his family. He met his wife, Anne, at a Greek dance. They have shared over 50 years together as husband and wife. He cherished his time with his son, George. The family cottage on Buttermilk Bay, in Bourne, was a very special place for Nick and his family for 24 years. It was when his son was growing up and they would swim, fish, boat, golf, and do projects together. He was so excited when his daughter-in-law, Gina, became a part of the Piandes family. Time spent with Nick always included stories of his growing up, adventures, and experiences during his lifetime. He could make walking his grand dog, Rosie, into a great and amazing adventure. He was just fascinating to listen to. In his later years, he enjoyed escaping the cold New England winters and spending time in Del Ray Beach and Boca Raton. Nick brighten the lives of family, friends, and customers, and he will be fondly remembered. Nick is the beloved husband of Anastasia “Anne” (Raras). He was the loving father of George Piandes & his wife Gina of Chelmsford. He was the brother of Mary Houhoulis & her husband Arthur of Wakefield and Charles Piandes & his wife Olga of Charlestown and Highland Beach, FL. He was the brother-in-law of James and Carol Raras of Lowell, Charles & Debbie Raras of Lowell, the late Virginia Rabias, Vaios and Helena Raras. He was also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and friends. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Thursday Jan. 16 from 4-7 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. The interment will be private. Memorials in Nick's name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.jude.org