Nick Dritsas

On behalf of the family, I would like to thank everyone that is here today and those who have sent their condolences. They have received countless phone calls, texts, flowers, meals, visits, thoughts, and prayers. This support has been both comforting during this difficult time and a reminder of the impact Nick had on so many others.

Nick was born on December 16, 1969, to Michael and Katherine Dritsas in Vancouver. Mike, Kathy, and Nick’s elder brother Bill moved to Vancouver in 1967 to start a new life in Canada. Nick grew up in a loving, warm, and fun Greek family with lots of food, music, entertainment, plus Windex cleaning and plastic wrap on the couch. Nick loved when his mom cooked roast lamb, and when he went smelt fishing with his dad. Nick had many fond memories of going to Greek functions until late at night and falling asleep in the car on the way home with the family. He had a big smile but sometimes a big mouth that got him in trouble, but he could always count on his big brother Bill to protect him. Nick also made lots of life-long friends growing up in East Van. Those that knew him in his teenage years, when he beat Cancer, appreciated how he pushed them to live in the moment and enjoy life to the fullest.

Nick graduated from David Thompson High School in 1987 and went on to study Accounting at Langara College. There he met his future wife Jude and made his first of many romantic gestures. One Valentine’s day he sent her an anonymous carnation flower with a pack of gum because he was always asking her for gum during class. Jude didn’t know who the carnation was from, but she hoped it was from Nick. Clearly the pack of gum was not a good enough clue.

After college graduation, he landed his first job as a Call Centre Representative for Revenue Canada, kicking off a 10-year career in Call Centre Management. He enjoyed planning conventions in places like New Orleans and New York. Nick, as you all know, was a very friendly guy. He naturally made several close friends during those years who shared many wonderful memories with the family.

In 1999 Nick ‘finally’ married Jude ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ style. They had a wonderful life together, building lasting memories for over 32 years with friends and families in both Vancouver and Cranbrook. In 2002, their first daughter Katie was born in Vancouver. Nick loved having people over and planning special family outings and events. He even dressed up in a sweltering Winnie the Pooh costume for Katie’s birthday party in the middle of the hot summer.

In 2005 they moved to Cranbrook, and in 2007 their second daughter Sofia was born. Sofia had a hard time falling asleep as a baby, so Nick came up with a special technique of swooping her back and forth in the recliner highchair like an amusement park ride – somehow, always putting her sound asleep. In Cranbrook Nick fulfilled his dream of owning his own business. Jude and the girls have many fond memories of working with him at his concession business, especially during the Kootenay Ice hockey games.

Nick and his family were welcomed back to his home town of Vancouver in 2017 with a tremendous amount of love by his friends and family. Nick began working as a cast driver for the Teamster movie industry, where he shared his charm, outgoing personality, and humour. Nick had a natural ability to make friends with anyone. He received a handwritten note from a well-known actor thanking him for “the very special care and concern…and lovely chats”.

Nick was a smart, fun-loving man who always made his family and friends laugh. He loved everyone with all his heart. He enjoyed spending time with family, going to Greece and Mexico, camping, road trips, music, science fiction and documentaries. Life was always fun with Nick - playing games, partying with friends, karaoke, dancing, and playing with the family pets. Nick was a kid at heart, kids of all ages loved being around him. His youthful energy and laughter were magnetic.

(from Katie)

My dad was the most loving, funniest, and strongest person I’ve ever met. Let’s start with loving - family was the most important thing on his priority list. Especially my mom, my sister and I. He would do anything to protect us, would always give up his last few McDonald’s French fries (or even junior chicken) if we wanted them, and would never hesitate to book a family vacation no matter our financial situation - he knew how short life was.

When I asked him, a few months ago, what I could do in my life to make him proud, his exact words were “I just want you to be happy”.

Dad always - and I mean ALWAYS knew how to make us laugh. I was visiting him in the hospital the Thursday before he passed, and he wasn’t talking a ton - tired and in pain. The doctors came to check in. As soon as they left, he said “I keep telling them not to keep giving me surprise visits. Next time they’re going to come out of there (pointing to the closet).” We both laughed.

But most of all, my dad was the strongest person I have and probably will ever meet in my life.

Fighting cancer at 14, open heart surgery at 45, and a second, long round of hard-fought cancer taking over his body just nine short days ago.

But don’t be fooled because he never stopped fighting. Up until his last day he was making an effort to eat, drink, stand up, and make us smile. And I wouldn’t have expected anything less.

We love you endlessly Dadis, see you soon. Katie

(from Sofia)

I know at this very moment; my dad is looking down on us and he truly knows the amount of love there is from everyone towards him. My dad was the strongest person I know, he held all these incredibly strong connections and relationships with all the people he had touched in his life. He had such an amazing humor that could totally turn the look on mine or anyone else’s face around in this certain type of way that really made you feel better.

I really admire my dad for these connections he had with people. I know I didn’t know my dad all his life, but he was an excellent storyteller to me, and he would always tell me about all these times he met people and all these stories from work that I just enjoyed so much and other people have told me about these effects my dad has made on them and all I can say is wow dad. You made everyone happy, and you really touched so many people in a way that nobody else did. You were also so, so strong for me mom and Katie. You were quite literally my rock and I always felt I could go to you and your advice was always so genuine and the way you explained things to me that I didn’t quite understand yet was so helpful. I know in my heart you are such a selfless person and you cared for so many more then yourself.

You have taught me so so many things in life and given me such a good idea on how to live my best life. I’m devastated you’re gone but I know you are out of pain now and in a good place.

I miss you dad, you will forever be my hero and best friend, love always. Sof

Nick will be remembered for his big heart, his zest for life, and how his smile would light up the room. Nick we will LOVE you ALWAYS.

Obituary

Nickolaos (Nick) Dritsas, 51, of Coquitlam, passed away on December 12, 2021 from cancer, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Vancouver on December 16, 1969 to Michael and Katherine Dritsas. Nick's life-long health battles started in 1984 at age 14, when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. In 1986 he was cancer free. In 2014 he was diagnosed with a damaged aortic heart valve and had open-heart surgery. In 2021 he was diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer. Despite all his troubles, he remained optimistic and brave to the end. Nick was a fighter.

Nick graduated from David Thompson High School in 1987 and went on to study Accounting at Langara College. There he met his future wife Jude, whom he married in 1999. After college graduation, he landed his first job as a Call Centre Representative for Revenue Canada, kicking off a 10-year career in Call Centre Management. In 2005, Nick, Jude, and their young daughter Katie, moved to Cranbrook to fulfill Nick's dream of owning his own business. Their second daughter Sofia was born two years later. The girls have many fond memories working with their dad at his concession business. After moving back to Vancouver in 2017, Nick began working as a cast driver for the Teamster movie industry, where he shared his charm, outgoing personality, and humour.

Nick was a smart, fun-loving man who always made his family and friends laugh. He loved everyone with all his heart. He enjoyed spending time with family, going to Greece and Mexico, camping, road trips, music, science fiction and documentaries. Life was always fun with Nick - playing games, partying with friends, karaoke, dancing, and playing with the family pets. Nick was a kid at heart, kids of all ages loved being around him. His young energy and laughter were magnetic.

Nick was predeceased by his father-in-law Joe, sister-in-law Terri, and sister-in-law Athina. He is survived by his wife Jude, daughters Katie and Sofia, parents Michael and Katherine, mother-in-law Louise, brother Bill, nephew Michael, niece Marisa, nephew Nicholas, niece Alisha, brother-in-law Dave, sister-in-law Jun, nephew Yi, brother-in-law Don, sister-in-law Char, niece Marina, and nephew Ben.

Nick’s zest for life was contagious and his smile would light up the room. We will love him always and forever.

Services will be held at Saints Nicholas and Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church in Vancouver as follows:

Prayer – Monday, December 20th at 7pm

Funeral – Tuesday, December 21st at 11am

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MountPleasantFuneral.com for the Dritsas family.