Napa Valley Man, Holocaust Survivor, Turns 100
Community Corner
Napa Valley Man, Holocaust Survivor, Turns 100 Beyond the beauty of a life in Napa Valley and a family who loves him, the centenarian still needs to close a chapter in his life.NAPA VALLEY, CA — Calistoga resident Nick Hope, a Holocaust survivor, celebrated his 100th birthday in style Sunday, Sept. 15.
About 75 family members, friends and guests gathered at the St. Helena Seventh-Day Adventist Church in St. Helena to honor the centenarian. Even the former California governor sent a message congratulating Mr. Hope.
"I am so proud of you! Happy 100th! When I get back from all my work in Europe I will be calling you to celebrate!"-Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Nearly 63 years ago, on Valentine's Day, Nick and his wife, Nadia Susan Hope, came to Calistoga with their oldest son, Victor, now 68, who was born in Germany. Their little family grew, and soon, the couple had two more children in tow: Jenny Hope McLaren, now 61 years old, and George Hope, now 58 years old, both of whom were born at the hospital in St. Helena. The couple's grandchildren include Janessa Vella, 29; Jacob Shafer, 25; and Joseph Shafer, 23.
Nick built his family a home in Calistoga and over the years, homes for many others in the Napa Valley. He officially retired at the age of 97.
Beyond the natural beauty of the Napa Valley that surrounded Nick and his family, as well as the beauty of a family who loves him, there is a chapter Nick still needs to close. That is why his son George started a fundraising campaign so that Nick can attend the 80th Liberation Anniversary ceremonies in and across Dachau and Munich in April 2025.
"My father, Nickoliay Xoprenko was born Sept. 7, 1924, in Petrovka, Dunbas, in Ukraine," George wrote on the GoFundMe page, Holocaust Survivor Needs Your Help. "He was tortured and incarcerated in multiple Holocaust camps. The first time was in Ukraine, during the 1933 Holodomor famine implemented by Stalin, which killed over 3 million people, including his two brothers."
The second, George wrote, was during WWII under Adolf Hitler's regime, also by the hand of Hitler's SS, where Nick worked at an ammunition factory at Wolfratshausen, wearing only the clothes on his back for 11 months.
The third, his son George wrote, was when Nick was falsely accused of sabotage while working at the BMW factory and thrown into Dachau Concentration Camp for three months before being transported to Allach, a subcamp of Dachau.
"He was incarcerated for a further two and a half years, enduring many terrible and unspeakable atrocities, including starvation, torture and beatings by the SS."
"On April 29, 1945, the 32,000 Dachau prisoners became survivors when American soldiers arrived to liberate all of the precious human beings at the camp."
These "great and extraordinary men and women have now sadly dwindled to very few," George wrote.
By special invitation, Nick Hope — he changed his last name to Hope in 1974—has been asked to return with his family members to the Dachau Camp to attend the 80th Liberation Anniversary ceremonies in and across Dachau and Munich.
"My kind and humble father has forgiven all those who have caused him harm, pain, and immense suffering, including the SS officer, who would brutally beat him," George wrote. "Nick would like to share his story of forgiveness, compassion, and hope to everyone who wishes to listen ... But Nick worries about his house that requires tens of thousands of dollars in repairs, let alone the expense to attend this honorary event in Germany."
The goal, George said, is to "raise enough money to ensure his father can travel comfortably and safely, covering his insurance and medical expenses, as he compassionately shares his testimony with others through a documentary being written of his incredible life story."
By Friday night, more than $6,300 had been donated toward the family's $20,000 fundraising goal. See the campaign page here .
See more about Nick Hope's life in a three-part series by CBS Sacramento.
