Nickolas Katsarelis, 89, a World War II veteran and retired automobile dealer,died September 3, at his home in Triangle.  Mr. Katsarelis served two tours as a pilot in the 39th Troop Carrier Squadron, the "Jungle Skippers." His unit received numerous citations and he earned a Purple Heart in action over Corregidor.  He served in the Air Force Reserves until 1967.

His parents, Tony and Pelagia Katsarelis, were Greek immigrants who settled in Quantico to open a restaurant.  A 1936 graduate of Occoquan High School

Mr. Katsarelis returned home after the war and entered the automobile business. At first he was a partner in Paris Auto Sales, then the owner of Quantico Auto Sales, which he later moved to Dumfries.  In 1980 he relocated the dealership to Woodbridge and renamed it Nick's Pontiac Oldsmobile, Inc. In 1995 at the age of 77 he sold the business after 48 years and retired. 

Mr. Katsarelis was an avid private pilot, fisherman, and a civic minded community member. He served on the Board of Directors of the Prince William Bank from 1971 to 1985 and was a member of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the National Automobile Dealer's Association, and the Virginia Auto Dealer's Association. He was a charter member of Potomac Hospital.

He was a supporter of Virginia Tech where he had attended for one year in the ROTC program before enlisting in the Army. 

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Phyllis E. Katsarelis; three children, Nick C. Katsarelis, Cynthia Katsarelis, and Susan Katsarelis; two step sons, Harry Diezel, and Fred Diezel; three brothers Pete, George, Manuel; his sister Virginia; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Mountcastle Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Boulevard, on Wednesday, September 10 2008 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Funeral services will be on September 11, 2008 at 12 pm at Mountcastle, followed by internment at Quantico National Cemetery.