Nicolas Kordellas
May 1, 1935 – January 5, 2021
Nicolas Kordellas, Professional Engineer. Nick was born 1 May 1935 in Athens, Greece. Nick always felt all Europe celebrated his birthday as May Day. Nick was an only child raised in Athens, just below the Northern side of the Acropolis.
The family spent the summers on their farm at Kria Vrisi on Eubia. The farm during the WW2 was their base all year, from which they sent food to relatives in Athens, who were starving. From an early age he was always interested in making childhood inventions. From tinkering with tractors and bikes to training farm animals on their farm.
On finishing Grade 12, Nick received a Physics scholarship to study abroad. He was about 18 when he arrived in Ottawa to improve his English at Carleton College. Nick then entered University of Toronto in Engineering. He attained his degree in 1959. He did his Masters at George Washington University. Nick worked at many jobs some were in Wellington and Montreal such as Union Carbide, SNC Lavalin in Montreal Monsanto and Edmonton, lastly Manager of Hosp District 24.
Nick married Mary Allan RN, in 1962. They had a son, Philip, born in 1965 in Montreal. Due to the Quebec desire for separation, Nick and Mary acquired a cabin in Alexandria, ON. At a party with Andre Leveque told Nick “You are a nice guy but you are not Quebecois and you have no place here.” Mary died in 1970. She is buried in Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal. Nick took a year to get his and Phil's lives back on an even keel. He married Betty Millham RN briefly.
In 1972 Nick moved to Fort MacMurray, Alberta for GC West (Suncor). He enjoyed the whole northern experience. In 1976 Nick and Phil moved to Sherwood Park where they remained. Nick's jobs over the years were Eldorado Nuclear, Labatts and the Genesee project.
In 1982 Nick met and married Shirley Tripp, RN. Nick permanently retired in 1991. He became adept with computers through the Edmonton Computer Club. From 1997 to 2021 Shirley and Nick became snowbirds in Yuma, AZ. Shirley worked as a seasonal RN at Yuma Regional Hospital. Nick resumed playing Chess and managing the home.
Nick loved traveling with his Van. Nick was a very dedicated employee, working to improve the job he was in. He was well liked and retained long term friends from his jobs. Nick always pushed to improve the world we live in and the people in it. He was environmentally friendly, believing the world could always be made a better place, a Liberal in Politics and a Unitarian Universalist in belief.
In 2014 Nick and Shirley created the Kordellas Tripp foundation at the U of T to help students in Nursing and Engineering. This was done to honor the U of T and the wonderful life he has had since his graduation. He believed in Giving Back to help others.
Nick contracted COVID on 20-Dec-20, was hospitalized on 29-Dec. Nick was transferred home on Hospice on 4-Jan-21. On 5-Jan-21 Nick died in his Yuma home from COVID respiratory failure. He is being cremated per his wishes.
After a life well lived the words to describe Nick are a good person, dutiful, hardworking, social, curious, and generous. Nick loved Yuma, being with people and traveling, chess, spaghetti, Greek food and cheese (My Mouse). And Nick is loved and missed. Many heart felt thanks to Dr, Wilde and 2 nursing staff and Compass Hospice.