DR. NICHOLAS TAVUCHIS

Condolences & Memories (23 entries)

• Nick and I were members of the Columbia Marching Band as undergraduates. I recall one of the funniest moments ever when the band was performing at a football game at Baker field. Nick was playing baritone sax and was in the front rank of the band. When we were supposed to make a left turn to go back to the stands, Nick forget to turn and marched alone for about 10 yards until he remembered! Got a great roar from the crowd. I miss him. - Posted by: Herbert S. Gardner (College friend) on: Dec 07, 2024

• Dear Bess, I so deeply regret that I did not keep in touch with you and Nick over the years. With my many moves I lost my old phone book and did not have your number. I think often about you both and remember the good times we all had together. Tonight on a hunch I typed in Nick's name in the hope that i could track down a contact point. I was shocked and grieved to confront Nick's obituary. If you see this or if one of the boys does, please get in touch with me by email or phone. Also I am on Skype - my address is: tom.scotes - I am now in Athens. My belated but most heartfelt condolences to you and the family. Αιωνία η μνήμη σου, Θραξ. With love. Tom - Posted by: Thomas J. Scotes (Friend) on: Jan 12, 2022

• It’s been 6 years since he passed and we still remember him like it was yesterday and we remember him every day. He lived a full and admirable life - he lived, laughed, learned, taught, gave and loved with great passion. He is still very much in conversation and here in spirit. I’m grateful for all he gave me and everybody he touched. - Posted by: Christopher Tavuchis (Second Born Son) on: Apr 04, 2021

• Dear Bess (and sons), I can't describe how sad I feel to learn that Nick died, and to realize that it's been more than 2 years and I didn't know. I just "googled" him because I've been thinking about him and wanted to make contact. That's when I saw the obituary. You probably know, but in case you don't, that Nick was one of the most influential people in my life. All of my friends and family know the hilarious stories about Nick and his mentorship (particularly his criticism of my writing). Because of the influence he had on my personal and professional development, I am now a professor and committed to "paying it forward". Mentoring students gives me great joy, as it did Nick. I may not be as good a writing critic but I know what it means to care deeply about students. I learned that from Nick. I will miss him but he is legacy lives on with me. Gail Geller - Posted by: Gail Geller (former student/mentee at Cornell) on: Dec 13, 2017

• Just a belated note of thanks to all of the kind words and the sentiments that appeared in this wonderful Guest Book. I had not seen any of these until my mom sent me the link today. Remarkable, it's been a year along and he's still very much a part of my life. In any event (a term he hated, by the way, along with about a dozen others I used tactically to get him started), I was lucky enough last May (about this time) to be present for a most wonderful memorial service and chipped into the eulogy (along with one of his most dear friends, Dr. Charles Axlerod) attended by a packed house of well-wishers and fans at the Greek Church in Winnipeg. I had the opportunity to tell some nice stories, quote Twian, sprinkle in a few stories (I really wish I could have told the one of the Columbia Band -- thank you for that), and sum up the wonderful life he had with my Mom and all that he gave my brother and I. Thanks again. While I'd leave you with some Aurelius for the good of humanity, I'll leave you with some Kipling instead... If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch; If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run – Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son! - Posted by: Christopher Tavuchis (Son) on: May 03, 2016

• Dear Bess Last night (2/6/16) I dreamed that I was in a motel where I'd received a manuscript in the mail from Nick who was staying with you in the motel, but the management refused to connect me to your room. We hadn't been connected in years, since he began thinking about writing "Mea Culpa". In the dream, I complained to multiple levels of management with no success. In total frustration, I told them I would write to the New York Times about it. To no avail. I knew the book would be exquisitely rendered and absolutely unique and when I awoke I looked forward to joyfully connecting with Nick again. As you know, we hadn't seen each other since graduate student days at Columbia. So I rushed to the computer with hopes of e-mailing and the first citation that came up was this obituary. It deeply saddened me. I am so, so sorry about yours and your family's loss. I just ordered his book and will read it with sadness and while trying to remember the joy he emanated. With love and condolences, Irwin Epstein - Posted by: Irwin Epstein (friend) on: Feb 06, 2016

• I have been thinking about Nick on and off for several years now and always with the intention of connecting with him after all these years. I first meet Nick as a Honors English student at the U of M. I had been assigned a study carol over at Soc department. I loved talking to him. His interests were vast; a true multi-dimensional guy. I was amazed and delighted he took an interest in my literary rambles. I am sorry to hear of his passing, and so late. I would have attended the service. He was a true & devoted humanist. Sad. My late condolences to his family and friends. - Posted by: Carmelo Militano (Friend @ the University of Manitoba ) on: Jan 30, 2016

• I knew Nick when he was on the faculty at Cornell and I was a new grad student there. Nick was a breath of fresh air to grad students compared to his more career oriented colleagues. I was a Vietnam veteran and very much enjoyed his irreverent ways. One morning as he was doing sit-ups outside McGraw Hall the Department chair walked by. As he passed, Nick said, "I may not publish much but I sure can do sit-ups!". He read widely and was a true scholar as well as a good hand ball player. - Posted by: Jay W. Foley (former student at Cornelll University) on: Jan 07, 2016

• My apologies of your loss. I came across this message while searching for information about Chris. - Posted by: Dave Mackenzie (Friend of Christopher's) on: Dec 27, 2015

• Apologies if you are not the Bess Ternas who went to Finch...happened to think about you tonight and found this on the internet...sorry for loss but sounds like you had a wonderful and abundant life with your husband...hope you continue well...kathie - Posted by: Katharine (Kathie) Villard (late 1950s FInch College ... friend) on: Dec 04, 2015

• I note Nick,s passing in deep sadness. We grew up together. - Posted by: Merrill Garnett (Old friend) on: Aug 10, 2015

• I shall never forget Nick's marching straight ahead while the rest of the Columbia Band made a sharp left turn! - Posted by: Herbert Gardner, '55C (Friend and fellow musician!) on: Jul 06, 2015

• Dear Bess. Despite the 40 or so years that have gone by since I last saw you, I have never forgotten my childhood neighbors and friends. I was very saddened to hear of Nick's passing. I will always remember being welcomed in your Ithaca home and playing with Alex and Chris in your basement. My condolences to you all. I hope that we can see each other again. - Posted by: Danny Velez (Old friend) on: Jun 29, 2015

• Nick was my classmate and partner through years of graduate study and beyond. With bess Howard and I cherished their friendship although sadly many miles separated us. Dear bess we think of you often..every time we pass Astoria or put flowers I the lovely silver martini pitcher you gave us half a century ago. With love and sadness. Cynthia and Howard Epstein - Posted by: Cynthia Fuchs Epstein (friend and colleague) on: Jun 27, 2015

• Dear Bess, Christopher, and Alexander. We have not seen you in many years but always think of you and the boys playing with Danny. We heard about Nick's passing away and we are so, so sorry for your loss. We wish we had maintained contact with you. I have photos of Danny with Christopher and Alexander when they were young. We loved having you and Nick as neighbors back in the 70's. We send our deepest sympathies and prayers. Josie & Hector - Posted by: Josie and Hector Velez (Friends) on: Jun 20, 2015

• Bess--as you held my hand through my losses, I hold your hand through this loss of yours. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers through this sad time and know you have many of us surrounding you at this time....Maryam and Karl - Posted by: Maryam Ahsan (Long time family friends) on: May 09, 2015

• Nick was always such an Inspiration because he had everything so well organized....he never missed a beat!! I loved listening to his New York accent and hearing about his interesting achievements and adventures in his life when we first met. Bess,you and Nick made such a beautiful couple,my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family..... I am so sorry for your loss ....it will be temporary as we will all meet again! God Bless! Sincerely,Lorraine - Posted by: Lorraine Gauthier (friend/client) on: May 09, 2015

• Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Tavuchis family. Dr Tavuchis leaves a great family behind as his legacy. - Posted by: Matt and Julie Boykin (friends Of Chris and Shelagh) on: May 09, 2015

• I often recall the kind professor's "additional" lessons. I remember his steadfast determination to improve the writing and grammar skills of students, and how he knew how many of us would start and successfully finish his classes. When he learned I was involved in music industry; he took time to give me articles that he thought I would find interesting. Receiving his high praise and A's on papers was an honour, as we knew how meticulous his standards on content and writing skills were. A lovely human being. - Posted by: Rae Anne Paxton (Student) on: May 02, 2015

• I had the pleasure of studying under Nick at the U of M and very much looked forward to our coffee chats and in later years his type-written criticisms of my newspaper articles, particularly the use of the word 'hopefully.' I loved getting together on returns to Winnipeg and talking about baseball. He was a wonderful man with a great spirit and a mentor. He will be missed by many of us, Bess. Peace be with you and your family. - Posted by: Jeff Blair (Student and friend) on: Apr 16, 2015

• We have not been in touch for some time Bess, though my heart holds fond memories of Nick, his voice, sense of humour, kindness and seriousness all wrapped together. - Posted by: Richard Grunfeld (Friend) on: Apr 14, 2015

• Dear Bess, I just learned of Nick's death. I'm so sorry. I didn't realize that he was quite ill. Take care. I'm thinking of you. Love Ginny - Posted by: Ginny Scott (Friend) on: Apr 13, 2015

• So sorry for your loss Bess. A long distance hug from BC. - Posted by: Margaret Semple (friend of Bess) on: Apr 11, 2015