Nicolas Triantafillakis

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce that our father, Nicolas Triantafillakis, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at the age of 79. Baba was born in Diefha, Chios, Greece on December 18, 1936. He loved and took great pride in his Greek heritage, but grew up in a time of poverty and hardship which inspired him to immigrate to Canada in the early 1970s. As a young man in a new country, he fell in love with our mom Kathy and had three children; though the marriage didn't last, his love for mom and us was constant.

Baba had an incredible work ethic that he instilled in all of his children. He worked as a cook for more than forty years, first on the navel ships in Greece, and then in Canada he worked at Four Brothers, and later at Manies, both Calgary restaurant establishments owned and operated by his family. Affectionately known as 'Mr. Nick' it brought him great joy to work alongside his brothers, nephew and friends for so many years.

In 2000 he was forced to retire when he suffered a debilitating stroke which left him with paralysis on his right side. It was an incredibly difficult time for all of us, but Baba faced it with his signature stubbornness and strength.

As we grew up, found love, and had our own children, Baba was thrilled to take on the role of Pappou. He loved his grandchildren with every fiber of his being, and showered them with love and affection. He gave them rides on his wheel chair, played games with them, and smothered them with hugs and kisses.

Though the final years of Baba's life were fraught with numerous health issues and physical struggles, his courage and determination in the face of such adversity will remain and inspire us. We will always remember his competitive spirit, and his love of sports, especially his favourite teams, Olympiacos FC and the Calgary Flames. His singing and laughter are something we will never forget.

Baba is survived and dearly missed by his children, Kurikas, Angela, Kaliopi, daughter-in-law Diana, and sons-in-law Jeff and Mike; grandchildren Annabella, Katerina, Nicholas, James and Kiki;siblings, Gus, Manoli, Effie, and Tony. Relatives and friends are invited to prayers at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church (1 Tamarac Crescent SW) on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 7:00pm. Funeral services will be held at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church on Friday, November 18, 2016 at 11:00 am. Graveside service to follow at Queen's Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 -14th Street NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549 www.heartandstroke.ca.