“Kolokotronis” of Fifth Avenue Passes Away

By Antonia Patsidou
The Omogeneia of New York has been shaken by the sudden passing of Panayiotis Nikolopoulos, the well-known “Kolokotronis” who on his horse with the traditional costume and head set, was present at the annual Greek Parade on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. Takis Nikolopoulos passed away suddenly last Tuesday from a heart attack at the age of 56 in his apartment in Sparta, where he had been the past few days for a brief visit.
Nikolopoulos body was brought to New York following a funeral service in his native Logkastra, Sparta, in order for the Greek-American community to bid him a final farewell.
Panagiotis Nikolopoulos was born in 1954 in Longastra Laconia, attended high school in Sparta and at a young age emigrated to the U.S. where he worked and excelled professionally at restaurants. He was a descendant of Captain Antonis Nikolopoulos, chieftain of the Revolution of 1821, which the General Theodoros Kolokotronis in his memoirs called teacher himself.
He was for years a member of the Board and chairman of the Association Longastras Laconia. In 2005 he was elected Supreme President of the Federation Pallakonikis U.S. and Canada, which had served in parlethon for many years as Deputy Governor and Eastern Regions.
He was an active member of the Community of Life Giving Source of the Bronx, where he lived.