NML 1940-2022

Nikita Michael Lary passed away on December 15th, 2022, at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. with his partner Pavel, best friend Ryan, and daughters Tanya and Anna at his side.

Nick grew up in Switzerland, where his Texan father Hal Buckner Lary, worked as an economist for the UN. His Russian mother, Natalia Mikhailovna Boborykina, bestowed in him a deep love for Russian literature and culture. He completed a BSc at Haverford College and then, while in a rut of translating Russian technical documents, found a new direction and began studying Moral Sciences at King’s College Cambridge, where he met his future wife, Diana Lainson. After completing his M.A., Nick went to Sussex University where he embarked on a PhD in Russian literature, which led to his first book ‘Dostoevsky and Dickens’.

Diana and Nick emigrated to Canada in 1969 on the ocean liner the Stefan Batori, landing in Montreal. In Canada, Nick began a new life, as a father and academic. He was passionate and opinionated about both endeavours. As a teacher, he was very interested in his students, often inspiring, challenging, and championing their efforts throughout his career. He forged strong and enduring friendships with these students, in particular with Nancy Siciliana. Another layer to his experience as an outsider between cultures was added when he finally acknowledged to himself and others that he was gay. This was a courageous undertaking in 1980s North America.

Nick travelled frequently to Russia, there he met Pavel Erokhin, his partner of 28 years. They had many wonderful trips together, the last journey being in October to Mexico City, where he presented at an event celebrating his final scholarly work—'The Alexander Medvedkin Reader’.

Nick was an exceptional father and loyal friend, truly coming into his own with the adoration of his grandchildren. He was a devoted academic, keen lover of Russian film, novels, classical music, art, wine, fancy food, gas station croissants, la belle province, Canadian landscapes, conversation, entertaining and reading. We got to celebrate his 80th + 2 birthday (COVID delay of two years) this summer in Quebec, with his partner, daughters, son-in-law Martin, brother Peter, sister Marina, and his grandchildren, Mabel, Jack, and Misha.

A memorial service will be held in the spring.