Lazaros Nemitsas' Obituary
Lazaros "Laz" George Nemitsas of Walkersville passed away on January 10, 2026 in Mt Airy, MD. He was born on July 4, 1949 in Greece.
Laz grew up on the small island of Hydra, Greece. As a young man, he served in the Greek Army before setting out to see the world, working aboard cargo ships that carried him across many countries and cultures.
He met his soulmate, Alice, while she was backpacking through Europe in 1971 and visited Hydra. In 1972, he came to the United States on a marriage visa. They married in December 1972 and were together for 53 years, raising two daughters. He became a U.S. citizen in 1996, a moment he regarded with great honor.
For 45 years, he owned and operated a house painting business, New Market Decorators, earning a reputation for dedication and integrity. Known as a true social butterfly, he loved to drive around town in his infamous “orange paint van” and made friends everywhere he went. His natural charisma, charm, and love of laughter brought joy to many people. He loved to dance and make others smile.
A devoted gardener, Laz once cultivated over 200 rose bushes in his backyard and enjoyed attending rose shows to display them. He earned a black belt in Karate, was a classic car enthusiast—especially proud of his 1979 Trans Am—and enjoyed collecting baseball cards and antiques.
His life was defined by love, laughter, hard work, and connection. He will be remembered for the warmth he brought into every room and the lasting impression he left on all who knew him.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Alice Nemitsas of Walkersville, MD; his two daughters, Irene Nemitsas of Frederick, MD and Helen Cullen (Clinton) of Pasadena, CA; his brother, Jiannis Nemitsas of Hydra, Greece; and his sister, Miranda Nemitsas of Sydney, Australia. He is also survived by many other family members and friends, all of whom he loved and who will miss him dearly.
The visitation will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026 from 2pm until 4pm and 6pm until 8pm in the Catoctin Chapel at Resthaven Funeral Home, 9501 Catoctin Mtn Hwy, Frederick, MD 21701. A private family burial be held at Resthaven Memorial Garden at a later date
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