Obituary: Nick Apostolides, Popular LI Soccer Referee, Dies At 77

WEST BABYLON, NY — Nick Apostolides, a West Babylon resident and a popular Long Island soccer referee, died from the coronavirus and health complications on April 3, the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) announced. He was 77.

According to the group, Apostolides lived a very interesting life as he survived the Civil War in Lebanon. He also managed to survive a plane crash in Athens as he accompanied many shipments from his Kennedy Airport cargo job.

In the 80's, he became one of the top referees in the Long Island Soccer Referees Association (LISRA). He and his wife Nanci became assignors, the people who give referees their schedules. As the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) and Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) grew, so too did the number of assignments so assigning became a full-time job for the West Babylon couple.

Between 1986 and 2016, Apostolides volunteered as vice president on the LISRA Board of Directors.

"Nick was my first assignor and he had my back coming up and guided me through US Soccer to college to the pros," 2019 Major League Soccer Assistant Referee of the Year Brian Dunn stated. "Nick was my first I was a LISRA Board member with him and have a lot of great memories with that man."

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