Obituary of Nick Hasapis

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Nikolaos (Nick) Hasapis, 78, who entered eternal life on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. While falling peacefully into the arms of God, he was surrounded by his family; the element in Nick’s life that he cherished most. He was predeceased by his parents, Nikolaos Hasapis and Sophia (Giagos); his brother, Kostas; his first wife, Afrothiti; his son, John; and in-laws, Panayioti and Stavroula Iatridis, and Lawrence and Leila Brook He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 30 years, Cristina; his children, Sophia (George), Peter (Nancy), and Ioana (John); his proud six grandchildren, Panayioti (Brittany), Afrothiti, Aphrothiti, Nikolaos, Maria, and Pericles; his sister, Magdalene Peppa; his sister-in-law, Demitra Hasapis; and numerous sisters and brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Nick was born on October 10, 1939 to Nikolaos and Sophia Hasapis in the coastal village of Kiveri, Argolida in Greece. Having never met his father, who passed before his birth, Nick’s primary caregivers became his mother, Sophia, and older siblings, Magdalene and Kostas. As a child, you could find him selling sweets at St. George’s Orthodox church on the outskirts of the village. Later, he’d be swimming in the pristine waters just beneath it; one of his favourite places on Earth. As a young man, Nick could be found with a paint brush in his hand, and while touching up the church bell of St. Nikolaos Church in the mountainous village of Kastri, he met his late first wife, Afrothiti Iatridis. In 1964, they wed and made the ultimate sacrifice by immigrating to Canada in search of a better life, one they would eventually give to three, beautiful children: Sophia, Peter, and Ioana. They were happily married for 17 years until the sudden passing of his wife, Afrothiti, in 1981. Nick would eventually find love again and remarry Cristina in 1988 at St. Demetrios, his favourite church, on the outskirts of Kiveri. Living in Moose Jaw, they were blessed for many years with Nick’s mother, “Yiayia” (Grandma) Sophia, who mentored the blending of their family. Upon his arrival in Canada, and with a limited command of the English language, Nick began working at the Ambassador Café in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. It became the beginning of a long, working partnership alongside his brothers-in-law with whom he opened several businesses over the years in Gravelbourg and in Moose Jaw, most notably the iconic Rodos Pizza franchise. In the mid 1990’s, Nick opened his own restaurant, Nick’s Place, a staple in Moose Jaw that he would run with Cristina for close to 17 years. It is here his favourite pastimes became engaging in daily banter with his customers, catching and showing off the fish from his fish tank, and striking deals with local vendors. For a total of fifty years, Nick worked tirelessly as a restauranteur, becoming an integral part of every community he called home, earning the nickname “Chief” by many who recognized his qualities as a hard-working leader and as someone who often put the wellbeing of others before his own. Throughout his entire life, Nick never forgot his roots and would return to his home village of Kiveri often. With each trip he would continue to build upon the foundations and legacy that he wished to leave for his children and grandchildren. Known as the unofficial “Mayor of Kiveri”, he was constantly at the service of others, a generous benefactor improving the lives of many in the village. He often toured the village in his Nissan Truck and could be found holding court at a local café alongside close friends and family. Above all else, Nick’s pride and joy were his six grandchildren who would flock to him for his warm embrace, jokes, and iconic milkshakes. His most cherished event of the year was New Year’s Day lunch. Such would be his final meal, one he gladly shared alongside his entire family prior to his passing. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Reverend Father Spyridon Vandoros for his spiritual guidance and continuous love. Nick received exceptional medical care from his Kidney Specialist Dr. Bhanu Prasad and the Regina General Renal Unit. “We love you Dad and Papou and will be forever grateful for everything you did. May his memory be eternal.”

A Celebration of Nick’s Life will be held at Rodos Pizza, 855 Grandview Street West, Moose Jaw, SK, on Saturday, January 6, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Prayers will be held at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3000 Argyle Road, Regina, SK, on Sunday, January 7, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at St. Paul’s on Monday, January 8, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the churches Nick loved to support: St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Regina, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Moose Jaw, and St. Demetrios Orthodox Church in Kiveri.