DR. COSTAS A. NICOLAOU 1938-2003

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DR. COSTAS A. NICOLAOU 1938-2003 Dr. Costas Nicolaou passed away peacefully on May 8, 2003, at the Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, ON. Dr. Nicolaou held a B.A. (Honours) in Business Administration and Economics from the Graduate School of Industrial Studies in Greece, and both Masters and Doctoral degrees in Economics from the University of Manitoba. He taught in the Economics Department at the University of Manitoba. His usual subjects were economic theory and policy. A lover of both teaching and technology, he delighted in finding ways to reach more distant students (via satellite) or provide more compelling materials and notes (using computer software). Dr. Nicolaou was Provost of University College at the University of Manitoba for two five-year terms, and served as Associate Head of the Department of Economics. He worked as researcher for the Manitoba Royal Commission on Northern Transportation. He also acted in an advisory capacity to the Ontario government, and was a Board member of the Gateway North Agency, devoted to improving conditions and prospects of the Port of Churchill in Northern Manitoba. Dr. Nicolaou was Commissioner of Inquiry into Gasoline Prices in Manitoba in the mid-eighties, and monitored oil industry developments for over 30 years. More recently he expanded his research into other forms of energy such as wind energy, electricity and solar energy, and created the Canadian Centre for Energy Policy (CCEP), an independent think-tank dealing with energy policy, education of energy users and consulting services. As a member of The Ethanol Panel of the Government of Manitoba, he made recommendations on how best to move forward with plans for ethanol to the provincial government. Dr. Nicolaous publications include student text materials, economic journal articles, commission reports, and articles on economic issues in the financial and regular press. He enjoyed opportunities to give interviews on both provincial and national media. Costas was also a lover of food, drink, and music, and spent many a night at Homers Restaurant, enjoying Greek food and socializing at its best. He loved to play the guitar and sing on these and many other occasions. At his home on Campbell Street in the late 70s he was well known for bringing fruit and drinks out to the front porch and holding singing sessions that attracted both friends and neighbours to join in the merriment. Costas also discovered a deep love of the solitude and peace of the outdoors, with his lifetime companion Robin Lansdown (recently deceased; see April 12 obitbulkloaduaries). The photograph shows him in a canoe at a remote lake, where Robin would say to him "When youre at the lake, you become real". Costas always had an intense sense of his audience and his setting and indeed expressed his love of his companion and music in new and wonderful ways while at the lake. A frequent traveller, Costas enjoyed taking friends and relatives to Greece and was there often, showing people Greek hospitality at its best. Costas is survived by two children and their families. Ellie and Philip Spanos and their children, Elizabeth and Victoria, mourn his loss from Mississauga, ON, where the family of four has lived since 1995. Alex and Pamela Nicolaou and their two children, Anna and Lucas, live in Waterloo ON. Both Ellie and Alex are grateful to their father for always supporting them in the important matters. Though life was not without contention and disagreement, it was always with an eye to the good of his children and his family that Costas undertook all his actions, and he strongly supported every venture that his children have undertaken. From him they too have acquired strong opinions and a strong love of life. They are forever thankful to him for the headstrong - even arrogant - attitude that has enabled them to pursue their dreams and achieve their own successes. Costas and Robin are also survived by Robins three children, Douglas (Darlene), Ian (Leah), and Virginia (Cam), as well as her brothers, Dougal (Ann) and Peter (Linda) and her mother Joy. Ellies favourite memory of Costas is the vigor, energy and just pure joy he had for all aspects of life. She will also never forget the look in his eyes when he first held his grandchildren in his arms. Alexs fondest memories of his father are the many evenings of singing, an activity which everyone enjoyed intensely. He also has fond memories of his father teaching him chess - a pursuit which both have revived with renewed pleasure in the last year. Today, Saturday May 17, an informal celebration of his life will be held at Garry Memorial Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. Tomorrow, Sunday May 18, the 9th day prayers will be held at the Greek Orthodox Church. "Plato is dear to me, but dearer still is the truth" -- Aristotle GARRY MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CEMETERY AND CREMATION CENTRE 1291 McGillivray Blvd. 925-1120

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2003