Pavle (Paul) Nikolaou
February 10, 1935 – September 26, 2026

With heavy hearts but immense pride, we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved 91 year old Tahteh, Dedo, and Great-Grandfather, Pavle (Paul) Nikolaou. He is now peacefully reunited with his cherished wife, Tragiani, who passed away just recently on July 15, 2026.

Born on February 10, 1935, in Polyplatanos (Klabouchicha), Lerin/Florina, Greece, to Alexander and Anastasia Nikolaou, Paul immigrated to Canada in 1963 to build a new life for his family. Upon arriving, he did what he had to do to get established, living with family and working at a steel company in Hamilton, then moving to Scarborough to set down roots for his loved ones.

After losing his father at the age of 10 and being denied an education himself due to the hardships of war and poverty, Paul became a fierce believer in the power of learning and higher education. His greatest wish was for his children and grandchildren to thrive; he constantly encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunities they had, build upon his foundation, and reach even greater heights (which they did). He was very proud of the certificate of achievement at McMaster University for skills upgrading. Finally seeing his name in print meant so much to him.

Paul was the ultimate host. He welcomed everyone with open arms, an infectious sense of humour, and a legendary collection of stories. He possessed a vibrant spirit of adventure, finding great joy in exploring lakes, fishing, and taking hunting trips up north—where his legendary "biggest catch" was a majestic moose. Gardening was another lifelong devotion; he once cultivated a massive garden spanning over an acre at his recreational property. Remarkably, even into his 90th summer, he could still be found tending to a smaller patch, right in his own backyard, deeply proud to continue feeding his family from it.

Paul always considered himself the richest man alive because of the boundless love of his family. He lived entirely for his children, grandchildren, and his brand-new great-granddaughter. He was the fiercely proud father of Sophie, George (Linda), and Meri (Rob); the adoring Dedo of Alex, Diana, Alexander (Bella), Ryan (fiancée Stacy), and Tyler (girlfriend Briar); and completely over the moon for his first great-grandchild, Clover, beautifully declaring that he could now die a happy man.

As his grandchildren’s biggest fan, Paul never missed a milestone attending all major events, with a Tim’s coffee in hand. He faithfully cheered them on at every single hockey game. His move to Canada in 1963 sparked a lifelong passion for hockey, turning him into a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan. While he was blessed to see them lift the Stanley Cup, he humorously accepted the modern reality that he might not see them raise it again.

He was extremely independent, joyous, deeply social, kind, and extraordinarily generous. Paul was the type of man who would give you the shirt off his back and dedicate his time to anyone in need. He is predeceased by his parents, his sister Thomia and brother-in-law Dille (who rest in Australia), and his baby brother Lazarus (who rests in Greece with his father). He survives and will be deeply missed by his loving cousins, nephews, and nieces across the globe.

We will forever miss his roaring laughter, his profoundly warm heart, his generous spirit, and his unforgettable big hugs. Yas Te Melvum!