Nikolaos Katsimanis

Nikolaos was born in Lamia, Greece, one of six children born to Demetrios and Maria Katsimanis. He emigrated from Greece to the United States in 1956. He flew from Athens to New York City then rode on a bus for three days and arrived in Worland, Wyoming on July 20,1956. To hear dad tell it-- he survived on lemonade for three days because the only word he knew was "lemonatha" which sounded similar to "lemonade". He stayed with his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Catsimanes (their last name was changed at Ellis Island). He worked at the Washakie Hotel in Worland for two years. His dream was to own his own restaurant. He started out by washing dishes and learning to cook at the hotel. Gradually he learned English and after six months he was promoted to fry-cook. On June 1, 1958, he moved to Casper, Wyoming with his dream and $500 in his pocket. He opened the Burlington Cafe and operated it for eight years. During this time he learned more about cooking, business management and speaking English. He became a U.S. Citizen around 1963 and was very proud to be an American and loved this country. His ultimate dream was to start his own restaurant "from the ground up". This became a reality in 1966 when he opened the Branding Iron Inn in downtown Casper. During the 1970s he purchased his second restaurant, the Blue Ox, on Hwy. 220 and renamed it the Branding Iron Supper Club. During the 1980s he also briefly owned a used car lot and a convenience store (located below the supper club). He closed the Branding Iron Supper Club in 1988 and left Wyoming for a couple of years. When he returned to Casper in the early 1990s he opened Nick's Kitchen in Mills and then moved it to Paradise Valley. He closed his last restaurant in 1994 after suffering a heart attack. Nick was also a member of the Masonic Temple and the Shriners Mounted Patrol here in Casper. He loved animals, especially his horse, Moon Maid. There were many dogs, cats, and horses..... He married Onna Ann Pounds on July 4th, 1961. They adopted two daughters: Clarissa Ann in June 1968 and Maria Dee in May 1970. They grew up working at the Branding Iron Supper Club. They were Nick's pride and joy! His greatest joy in life was being a papou (grandfather)! Britney Ann Nicole Blackmon was born April 28, 1989; Kathryn Margaret Keegan was born December 4, 1994; and Sean Ethan Keegan was born December 22, 1995. Nick taught his children and grandchildren the importance of family, love, and a good work ethic. He always told his daughters: "If you are on the clock you should never be standing around...there is always something to clean...with a mop, broom or rag." and "If you know how to wash dishes and wait tables...you will never starve." Nick leaves behind his two very proud daughters, Clarissa (Jan) Bunton, of Bar Nunn, WY, and Maria Katsimanis of Ocean Springs, MS. Also his four grandchildren: Britney (Stephen) Holbrook, Kathryn Keegan (fiance - Lance Sorenson), Sean (Kelsey) Keegan all of Casper, WY and....Hugo the Cat of Ocean Springs, MS. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Jadyn, Sawyer and Bridger Holbrook, and Landynn and Logan Keegan, all of Casper. He is survived by his sister, Dina in Greece, cousins: John (Dina) Catsimanes of Worland, WY; Chris Catsimanes of CA; and Toula Theos (Charlie Wynn) of Cody, WY; as well as his goddaughter, Nikki Barlos-Garner. He leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews in Worland, WY; Phoenix, AZ; and Athens, Greece. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Onna; brothers, Stavros and Angelo of Greece; sisters, Irini (and husband, Bill) of Phoenix, AZ and Eleni of Greece; cousins, Dean Catsimanes (and wife Patricia) of Casper, WY, and Helen Jivelakas (and husband, Gus) of Worland, WY; and godson, Peter Kanelos of Casper, WY. A heartfelt love and thank you from Nick's daughters, Clarissa and Maria, to all the staff of Poplar Living Center here in Casper for taking care of and loving our dad. May you all be blessed! People wishing to donate memorials in Nick's name may consider: Black Dog Animal Rescue, Meals on Wheels of Natrona County, and Shriners Hospitals for Children. A Memorial and Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 17th, at 1:00 at Rock of Ages Church 956 N. Poplar in Casper. Condolences and favorite memory/story may be left at bustardsfuneralhome.com or mailed to Clarissa Bunton, 17602 Pronghorn Dr., Bar Nunn, WY 82601.

Service

Saturday, March 17, 2018 1:00pm

Rock of Ages Church

956 No. Poplar

Casper, Wyoming 82604