Nathan A. Carras, 96 of St. John, IN passed away peacefully at home November 23, 2023. He is survived by his children: Evan (Betsy) Carras, Christine (Allen) Bloom and Athene (Thomas Applegate) Carras. He was adored by his 6 grandchildren: Julia, Stephanie and Natalie Bloom and Nathan (Michelle Hunt), Elizabeth and Noah Carras. He will be missed by his two loving sisters in law, Nicky Shick and Anna Wildermuth and his many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Catherine, his parents, Angelo and Athina Carras and his siblings Constantine Carras and Evangeline Boulles.

Born in Glen Cove Long Island, NY in 1927, he was the eldest child of three. The family moved to Hammond, Indiana in 1934, where he attended Hammond High School (1945) and enlisted in the army upon graduation. After his honorable discharge, he came home to Hammond and started working for a design build construction company. This is when he found his calling. Using the GI Bill, he enrolled in architecture school at the University of Illinois – Champaign Urbana and was a member and Past President of the Alpha Rho Chi fraternity, the Gargoyle National Architecture Honor Society and a Graduate Assistant.

While still in college, he met Catherine at her sister’s wedding. A spark was lit that finally culminated in a first date one year later at a Perry Como concert at Soldier Field. It rained, they shared a kiss under a tarp and the rest was history. They married in 1954 and set up life in married student housing at U. of I.

In 1956, after graduating with his Bachelor of Architecture degree, they returned to Hammond and started their family. He knew that he wanted a firm of his own and in 1958, Nathan A. Carras & Associates was formed at the corner of Cherry and Madison, a building known throughout the neighborhood for its modern design, red front door and a granite bust sculpted by him in college. Dan Szany became a full partner in 1980, establishing Carras Szany & Associates. The firm relocated to Schererville in1992, where it exists today under the name Carras Szany Kuhn & Associates. He retired in 1999 at age 72.

Nathan was a lifelong member of the American Institute of Architects, served as Past President, Northern Indiana Architects. He also served as Director of Indiana Society of Architects and was Past President of the State of Indiana Administrative ​Building Council appointed by Governor Whitcomb. He taught architecture classes at Purdue University Calumet and was involved in establishing the College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University.

Active in the community, he was Past President and Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, a member of the Hammond Goodwill Board of Directors, Past President of the Board of Directors Lake County Red Cross and Past President of the Hospice of the Calumet Area as well as many other service organizations. He was a member of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Hammond and designed their Educational Center and Banquet Hall. He designed many of the areas public buildings including schools, libraries and churches and was proud to have designed the St. John Township Veterans Memorial.

Everyone who knew him, knew of his love of the water. He was an active boater and loved sailing. He shared this passion with his family and friends, spending many blissful hours boating on Lake Michigan and in Florida. Nathan will be remembered for his service to his profession, to his community and his love of family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be Friday December 1, 2023 from 3:00 – 8:00 PM at Kish Funeral Home, 10000 Calumet Avenue, Munster, Indiana. Funeral services will be Saturday December 2, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 7021 Hohman Ave, Hammond, Indiana with internment to follow.

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