A2 • Friday, May 28, 2021 | Seaside Signal | SeasideSignal.com
OBITUARY
Nicholas “Nick” Dan Zafi ratos
Astoria
May 9, 1926 — April 18, 2021
Our beloved Nicholas
“Nick” Dan Zafi ratos, long-
time Astoria resident, passed
away on April 18 in River-
view, Florida. He was 94.
Nick was born on May 9,
1926, in Mill City, to Diony-
sius (Dan) and Roubina Zaf-
iratos, who had emigrated
from Greece in 1923.
He grew up in the Port-
land area, entering grade
school only speaking the
Greek language. He quickly
excelled at school, skipping
a grade, and graduated from
Jeff erson High School.
When Nick was just 18,
he joined the U.S. Army
during World War II, where
he achieved the rank of staff
sergeant, and served as a
tank commander. He fought
in the Battle of the Bulge,
as well as in the Ardennes,
German and central Euro-
pean theaters. He received
several Medals of Honor for
his service.
After Nick was honor-
ably discharged, he worked
as a railroad engineer to
help support his parents and
younger brother. He then
attended the University of
Oregon, Oregon State Uni-
versity and Willamette Uni-
versity, where he graduated
top of his class and received
a law degree in 1955. His
second-year classmates hon-
ored him by electing him
class president at Willamette
University College of Law.
While working in Pendle-
ton in 1956, he met his future
wife, Virginia “Ginny” Ann
Swart. They were married
in the Holy Trinity Greek
Orthodox Church in Port-
land in 1957.
Nick began his law career
as assistant city attorney in
Salem, fi rst with the welfare
and recovery division and
later with the state forestry
board.
In 1960, Nick and Ginny
moved to Astoria. Nick went
into private practice and
opened his own law fi rm
in 1960. He was appointed
deputy district attorney of
Astoria and then municipal
judge.
Later, attorney Steve
Roman joined him, and they
formed the successful Zaf-
iratos & Roman partnership,
which served the commu-
nity for many years.
Nick was a dynamic attor-
ney, and well respected by
other attorneys, judges and
law enforcement throughout
the state. He was known as
Nicholas “Nick” Dan Zafi ratos
someone you would call “if
you were in trouble.”
Many younger attorneys
have stated that they would
often go observe his “bril-
liance” in the courtroom,
and that he taught them so
much. He was very passion-
ate about his clients, and
truly loved his profession.
In his later years, while
in a restaurant or walking
downtown, former clients
would often come up and
thank him for what he did
for them. It was awe-inspir-
ing, and made you realize
what a diff erence just one
person can make in some-
one’s life.
Nick was a member of
the Oregon State Bar and
Oregon State Bar Disci-
plinary Board from 1993
through 1995. He was
appointed chairman of the
board in 1995.
Nick was also very active
as a member of the Asto-
ria community. He served
as the exalted ruler for the
Elks, a port commissioner
for the Port of Astoria, was
on the board of directors for
the Astoria Golf & Country
Club, a member of the Holy
Trinity Greek Orthodox
Church and a member of the
Greek Civil Group Amer-
ican Hellenic Educational
Progressive Association.
Nick loved to travel,
golf, fl y his Cessna, watch
football (loved his Oregon
Ducks!) read and spend
time with his family and
friends.
In retirement, Nick and
Ginny enjoyed spending
summers in Astoria and
winters in their Palm Des-
ert, California, home. He
also enjoyed volunteering
as a guide on the Astoria
Riverfront Trolley.
Nick will be remembered
for his sense of humor, (the
best one-liners!) his feisti-
ness, great conversation and
stories, kindness, compas-
sion and, of course, his love
for a great “dirty martini.”
He also was a big animal
lover, and often brought
home strays and rescues
from his offi ce. They almost
always became members of
the Zafi ratos family (except
for “Petunia” the skunk!).
Nick was preceded in
death by his wife of 55
years, Ginny; brothers,
Spiro (1925), and Chris,
(2004); and niece, Diana
Nicole Zafi ratos, (2019).
Survivors include his
daughters, Ann Zafi ratos, of
Santa Barbara, California,
Molly (Kevin) Koehnke,
of Riverview, Florida, and
Jane Zafi ratos (Drew), of
Warrenton.
Nick had four grandchil-
dren, Claire Fletcher (Jacob
Kneuer), Connor Koehnke
and Niko and Evan Augus-
tin. In addition, special
friend Dee Chisum, her
daughter, Terri Opsahl, and
many friends and family.
Nick (i.e. Dad, Papou) was
“one of a kind” and will be
dearly missed.
A Greek
Orthodox
funeral and reception was
held May 7. The fam-
ily requests that you make
donations in Nick’s honor
to the Clatsop County ani-
mal shelter (or adopt a res-
cue) or donate to Camp
Kiwanilong in Warrenton.
A big “thank you” to
Nick’s longtime caregivers
at Clatsop Care Retirement
Village for their great care
and companionship.
Caldwell’s Luce-Layton
Mortuary in Astoria was in
charge of the arrangements.
Please sign our online guest
book at caldwellsmortuary.
com
Two Seaside businesses receive liquor licenses
By R.J. MARX
Seaside Signal
Sergio Sanchez will open
Viva Tijuana Mexican Cui-
sine at 1445 S. Roosevelt,
the site of the former Mazat-
lan Restaurant. Sanchez was
an employee who worked
for Mazatlan for 22 years.
He came before the City
Council on Monday seeking
approval for a full on-prem-
ise commercial license.
There have been no inci-
dents on the premise that
would be concerning for this
application or any disqual-
ifying information to deny
the application, Seaside
police said in a review sub-
mitted to the council.
A former employee of
City Councilor Randy Frank
at Norma’s Restaurant in
downtown Seaside, Frank
gave Sanchez a personal
endorsement.
“I know that he’s going
to do a great job and be
successful,” Frank said. “I
would make motion that we
accept his application.”
The
council
unani-
mously approved the license
request. The restaurant
will open pending Oregon
Liquor Control Commission
approval.
Allyx O’Connor, of
the Adrift Hotel, at 125
Oceanway St., also sought
approval for a full on-prem-
ise commercial sales liquor
license. The license allows
the sale of distilled spirits,
malt beverages, wine and
cider for consumption at the
22-room hotel. The license
also allows private catering
if the applicant receives pre-
approval from the state.
“We’ve been in busi-
ness here for several years,”
O’Connor said. “We have
a liquor license right now
to be able to sell wine and
beer —which is great — but
we would love to be able to
serve some spirits for our
guests.”
Police review did not fi nd
any disqualifying informa-
tion or reason to deny the
application.
Council members unani-
mously approved the license.
Sergio Sanchez will open Viva Tijuana Mexican Cuisine at
the former site of the Mazatlan Restaurant. Sanchez was a
Mazatlan employee for 22 years.
Therapy. Substance use treatment.
Recovery support.
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have to struggle on your own. Columbia Pacific CCO providers offer safe
ways to get the help you need — in person, by phone or by video. And as a
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health provider for an appointment or visit ColPacHealth.org/care.