Nikolas Samouhos, 40, son, brother, friend, adventurer of Ridgefield Park, NJ, passed tragically on June 14, 2015. Sadly missed by his parents, Dionysios Samouhos and Eva-Maria Samouhos. Loving brother of George & Elena Samouhos. Cherished uncle and nephew.
Visitation at McCorry Brothers, 780 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park, NJ, 07010, on Monday June 22, 2015, from 2-4 & 6-8PM. Interment to follow on Tuesday June 23, 2015 in Fairview Cemetery, Fairview, NJ - we will meet at the McCorry Brothers funeral home at 9:30am.
For more information about services see the McCorry Brothers site.
Instead of sending flowers, please donate to charity please.
Tributes
Leave a tributeWhen you were with him, you could see in his eyes and feel in his presence that he was there for you, that he sincerely cared about you as a friend, and that you yourself would be a better man for knowing him and emulating his energy.
I will never forget my fraternity brother Nikolas Samouhos and what he taught me, first as a teacher, next as an equal, and forever as a friend.
My sincerest condolences to the family of this great man, who have lost an irreplaceable part of their life.
I am so sad to to hear about your much to early passing.
I remember our great nights out in Barcelona and the great days we had when you visited me and my family in Sweden.
You will always be in our hearts.
RIP Nik
Nicklas, Sun and Philip
I only met you a handful of times, but you made such an impression on me with your kind heart and generosity. I especially enjoyed spending time chatting at Elena's wedding about your love of skiing and travel. You will be missed and the world was definitely a better place for you being in it. RIP, Nik.
From the crazy moments we spent at his fraternity house skiing over the snowy streets of Newark in our sneakers while towing behind a pickup truck to the introspective moments of deep reflection we spent on top of a sand dune in the hot desert or a top a volcano looking down at the clouds, Nik knew how to be a friend. He knew when to speak and when to be silent and let the moment convey it's meaning. He knew when to lift your spirits with dance and party, when to sit one-on-one with you and a beer helping you work out your problems and when a simple hug and pat on the back was what was needed.
All of my friends who met Nik took and instant liking to him. More friends than I can count built a independent friendship with Nik after spending some time with the two of us. While Nik was on a long visit to my home in Chile, I introduced him to many of my friends, and he touched them all. There are many people on the other side of oceans and mountains and continents grieving right now. Many of these are people who have never stepped foot in Nik's home country, but admire it because of its capable ambassador.
My young son loved 'tio Nit' and the daily walks we'd take together during Nik's stay with us. Nik wasn't above getting down on the floor and playing with him and talking to him. He used to tell me how he looked forward to his own little 'carbon unit' one day. I kept imagining how a little mini Niki might be, and that if he was half as cool as his dad, my son and he would be best friends too.
My only consolation is that Nik lived his last year to the full. After many years of dedicated hard work, he did what most people are too afraid to do: he went out on his own to really live life like it should be lived. He got to make lots of new friends, reconnect with and strengthen bonds with old friends, see parts of the world with breathtaking beauty, ancient history and real cultural significance. We should all be so brave to really live life, to experience the ups and downs, frights and exhilaration, joy and stillness that Nik was able achieve.
There are no words that can replace his presence or console the ineffable loss his family and the world now suffers. My dear friend Nik, you are loved and I promise your stories will live on - this and the next generation will carry you in our hearts always.
Will always have a spot for you in my heart Nikko!
May the Almighty Father receive you in his home and join in eternity our friends who passed too suddenly.
Your memories will live in our hearts and minds forever. Each time I remember you, I will always have a smile.
RIP, friend.
Now I know heaven will have a great host and is becomed a better place ! Thanks my friend !
Pray tell me who will teach my children as you have for me? Live in the moment, believe that you can, laugh out loud, reach for the stars, be each other's heros.
When you came to me last year down trodden and asked what you should do, I said to travel, fill your heart with everything you always imagined. You said you were afraid to go... Afraid to be alone. I smiled and waved my hand. 'You will never be alone. The traveling community will welcome you with open arms'. I'm so glad you actually listened- It was the happiest time of your life.
You are everywhere and in everything around me. I love you always.
Leave a Tribute
We know you are in much better place , happy and peaceful.
Through every birthday here while a kid, with your best friend, with lucky me, and twice a year lol while celebrating on Greek name days too, and as your mom, may say, every day was an opportunity to recharge and connect, and as that you did, you're truly alive in our lives today, inspiring us to be more.
Rest well and fly freely Nik-san, for years to eternity.
Without need for wheels, nor gas, nor motors, nor planes, nor trains. But as for electricity, I bet you got some up there, and among lots of other stars.
I know we don't have as many memories together as you do with Nate, but those that we do share are precious. You're actually in a photo of the three of us together on my bookshelf, and I often look at it and remember how cool you were. Happy birthday bud!
Love,
Obie
music night
Four Decades of Life; Amelie, and Nik
Story title One:
Four Decades of Life, Connecting
Story Two:
Amelie, and Nik
Written June&July 2015 or so- with added edits enough now to share.
Before telling a story I call: "Amelie, and Nik" (I'll share here soon, so warning to readers-- this next rambling of Nik remembrances is the longest yet), I want to first say a few things, and about the beginning few decades of life I didn't know you Nik, and how very proud I am, you made it, to 40.
"Four Decades of Life, Connecting"
Nik, you shared so much, and from, and of all those days too of your first memories, reminiscing with me. So I want to say how your every picture, experience of your words and actions, and early memories that your sis showed me first in that precious album and to your slight eyes-rolling amusement!, memories you forever created with your family since a toddler, with others after and since your school daze, and also with me, brings to my mind, how many thankful times you rose to see the day, and how proud I am you made it to 40.
After hearing the voice messages left to me, on the early morning after you passed, from each member of your family, cousin, one by one, and since you and I shared all, your ups and your downs, these times of yours shared came to me thought by thought, and as I returned each call. As I prayed for you over that morning now etched in my memory and the entire day, and continued praying each day those next weeks, and months, and for each special family member of yours too - I only started to comprehend the reality that was.
Over these days that had then begun to seem to really blend together, beneath my inner screams and not wanting to believe tears, I would soon too, naturally, and at times with some relief, find my thoughts
turning to other realities: of how fun. real. passionate. loving. restful. and searching you were, and feel, that while here, you lived a life full and fulfilled.
Over all those years of yours, I am proud of what I know, and the more I know.
In the days and years we were together, both our longest partners relationship over which years we nurtured it and it grew, and as you brought me more to understand and love you even more, you told me how in every sunrise and sunset you see me. And in those last months, that no one knew would be so, you had let me know no matter where you are, and what may occur between us, that you want to see my smiling face, and that we love and enjoyed and would always bring each other smiles.
While here in NYC-NJ while traveling those last months, and while not here, in simple but meaningful things like in the Depeche song you sent me, and your deeply thought of words, you continued to let me know how you do enjoy your days, the good people with whom you travel and people you meet while I worked, and that who you meet are friends, not more you wanted me to know in your way of looking at things, and that you truly enjoy the days of the good company of good friends to you.
Pausing the way you do, you peacefully told me wherever and with whomever you may be traveling, you reminded me of your seeing me, as you know I see you, in each of our sunrises, sets, and stars, contemplating to yourself that I can see these in the same sky too, and at the end of every day with who and wherever you are, you long to be with me. And so I will continue, to see you, in the vastly brilliant and same time soothing celestial rotations of life and energy around us.
You are now physically so far than I would have imagined, and for decades to come you would be, yet "for four," here you were with us, while you shared with me and all whom you enchanted.
I have seen you then, and now in this different way of your memory, and within too what you have given of yourself-- and every day.
For it is each day of my life, that the many gifts from you, that are as meaningful to you as you have told me, and the pictures and places we have visited, come right across my path. For too, you have changed my life for all years to come.
So too come the words, the thoughtful words, especially the nightly words, sometimes while our looking for the moon as we both liked to do before or when resting, and come the looks and expressions, and deep love that you have given.
We loved not first to have fun, but we did have fun, nor for sorrow, but sorrow came around us and we supported each other through. We loved each other true, in a connection you told me more than once that you felt you knew (another story) before we physically met, that day we did.
For the years I know of directly from you, and of what I have heard from you and also from others, I have treasured and so felt all those years -- meaning each year from when you were small to present. And this reminds of when you said, so many times, and of our talks about how you thought we have always been before we even outwardly knew, and we would always be connected, and now that we found each other.
I feel sure that all you loved and love you, can feel in some ways the years you shared when you interacted with your family, others, and me too. Through all kinds of times, through so much, for the way you interacted, I and many will never fondly never forget you. I feel and I hope, I'll say again Nik, you continue to smile, brightly, and on us all.
---
Here's to another story, or really stories that seem like they're mostly related to biking, or hiking, that I've tried to weave in, but really related to living, when loving what you are doing.
This story I call:
"Amelie, and Nik"
Nik had brought me to his apartment on the front side of his two-family house now more than 8 years back. He had wanted and asked if it was ok with me to meet his mom, so one of these times visiting back then was after "passing the test" with his Mom Eva. Beyond how profoundly he seemed to react to my test passing, little did I consciously yet know, how much more meaning filled this was to him, until after that day. Happy however I was too, for I knew how much I already liked Nik, and then his Mom too, after our first meeting. With Eva and some others of his family members, cousins, and others, he would after, so sweetly say, I knew she/he would like you, just had to check. But any of my family, who I choose to introduce you, would -- so he had thought, and so comforting to me to say.
Nik would tell me, in careful and care-full speech, a story or two, and of each person mostly before meeting them. These stories were like a synopsis of his observations, of events and experiences, and of why these people made marks on his life and outlook. He did this regarding the next and next person of his family, and his family-like friends, and who know so well who you are, and those who had stuck by him over the years to decades, and also a few other people before I met them with whom he spent quality time, admired, and felt affiliation.
I was shy with Nik still then, so mostly listened, enamored, with his consideration of each person and each related event he decided to impart, listening then and over time, so many times of how many different and good people have impacted him.
So toward the end of the year, in getting to know more of each other, I was asked by Nik if I'd also be interested in watching a movie he kept there at his home. He described the movie. I replied I'd like certainly to watch the movie and very much so, because of my interest I already had in what I thought the movie was about.
The movie scene I remember the most, we both enjoyed almost with laughter. I still remember while Nik was sitting next to me. With a large and at these same moments a humble smile, we watched during one scene, the woman in the movie title, with a man while they were biking together, really exploring, all over some quaint town. I was impressed and gave the movie a sure thumbs up, later finding it was a most meaning filled movie to Nik. It was only later that I found how much he related to himself in that one movie, and so had wanted to show me it and to see my interest.
Biking myself since 14 years old, enjoying feeling the wind thru moving thru it, I biked some distances but it was with Nik I biked my first 50 mile+ tours. So now I'll digress to a couple of biking stories in our life outside of the movie.
I do recall the first extended tour I finished. We found I did on average about 10 miles per hour overall on these longer distances, and Nik, no surprise under that. So in knowing Nik, he'd always find a map and plan a little ahead for these tours. We loved looking at maps, he had said happily finding I did too, and happily too that I had the patience to do so while he studied a map.
In his breaking up a long ride into parts, we could decide where we'd ride together and also had meeting places. I definitely took extra time than estimated for sure by the end of the route on that first 50 miler. But I believed I could finish it, since I trained myself to gear up toward doing so, and as he who I was sharing this experience of this day, supported me to do so too.
The last two miles of one of these town to town tours was where one last spot was pre-decided to break and then remeet. So at this point, we both left to meet at the finish line. Nik came back he had said, several times, to the finish line cause he knew he'd find me there. This is the kind of person Nik was. If you believed in yourself, and did the work to get there, he believed in you too. He was so happy and proud when he saw I made it there. Later we found since the last part was hills, I mean more like a first hill, a tiny break, and then up, a tiny bit down and then one, continuous, high hill that went up a 45 degree angle up and up before a short run sharply down to finish, my gears had just not been up to it, at all. So I had biked with the gears that didn't work on these hills-- until we shopped.
I did eventually get a new bike, of course after Nik checked out all along the way and all the parameters of why we should lean toward getting that particular bike. We bought it at a town icon favorite bike shop where Nik lived (which is another story, in of itself that day). After all this said, it's no surprise it's the bike I still have today.
The 50 miler+ stories, like the one place we got to where Nik and I vacationed in a small coastal town we drove to and then boated to way down south, and where we called a friend of his who lived there (but unfortunately was on his own vacation that weekend), do bring to mind other short stories. There's also the long in distance, but "local" bikeride --in uptown Manhattan, where Nik after NJ, next and also lived, and when going to the George Washington Bridge and back biking story. This time was with Nik, I, and friend Fran, who I'm happy to say did make it to experience one of our and this longer ride with us (and rode with us in Central Park too).
You who have seen the GWB can picture how high it is. There's a back road path, going up and up and up to the bridge. So one Saturday, the 3 of us decided to conquer it. And up and up and up on our 3 bikes, we did ride, past the Fairway market, past the Little Red Lighthouse (where Nik&I spent another one of our monthaversaries across the view to this landmark), past the boating docks, and more. ... I wouldn't mind doing that again with Fran and/or any of Nik's biking buddies, one day, and some years later when I can bike once more, in Nik's memory... and recalling I'm also reminded ....
There was a time with that same buddy Fran when I was working again, and Nik made it to Cali again with him, that Nik mentioned to me that there's reasons he wouldn't exercise out there as he liked. So on one nightly or the night arrival call, I said why don't you go hiking that you like so much to do? He said he did know of one place, possible and not so far, but hilly. Well I don't know for sure if I'm thanked, by both of them for the suggestion, but the story is from Nik that he chose and did go to this place. Nik was actually weary this time for his friends sake, once they started out with its confirmed on-site big hills. It is one time he saw his buddy behind him, and did wonder if he would make it. But he, and they did make it, on that hike too!
This too reminds me of during my years with Nik when he told me he was going to try and he learnt for the first time ski-snow kiting and water kiting. I remember him confiding to me after a first trial he wasn't sure this time he could get these concepts to do the kiting, at first on snow. And I would say: But Nate, (who was teaching him, and who I knew Nik took the weight of his opinion heavily), Nate believes you can. And kite Nik did. .... which too reminds of Nik's mom and dad. They would tell me how Nik had all these talents, believing in him throughout all his years too. Probably impressed through all the years I'd imagine, they saw how he would and could do, one new thing after another, as they encouraged A, B, and C, as they saw he liked. Like clarinet playing that his mom could tell a short story of too, computer building he did on his own, running and that he restarted while with me in races I attended or drove a bike through until he made it all the way up to mini-marathons, and electric work and with dad, and that his dad, I know cuz of hearing "electric" stories from Nik, that "dad Baba"?sp could tell a short story or two. And he did more, and during those younger years I didn't mention here--yet never that when I saw Nik as he was accomplishing all, that he did with any boastful manner.
So returning to the biking movie, it makes me smile even now too. Recalling this movie seems to bring forth in a snowball-like way our own adventures with Nik. As this movie ages, and it's becoming if not already a classic, I think it's a movie that would make most anyone smile, reflect on their life, experiences with others, and on joy too. I had since, all this time after forgotten about the movie. One day, all these years later after I was first introduced to it by Nik, Meryl Weintraub Samouhos reminiscing about Nik at her home following the life celebration for Nik when we in 2015 gathered and after-gathered, referring to Nik and his love of different things, brought up in conversation this movie. I was swoosh transported back as I was reminded of its title, Amelie.
Nik related to me what gave positive energy in his house the day of that movie viewing, and many days since, and because of a selective few things, like that movie he said he had kept there and that meant a lot, and how this positive energy therefore had passed through that space. Particularly how he related these many things of what he told me, to the people he loved, have always stood out in my mind .... like the fish tank of his brother so dear to him and where the tank had stood, as if he could see it there on the day he described this to me and the fish too. I recall how after too, when we caught each other's eye, and in such an affirming way of what is good, smiling some more from these thoughts, and how these moments were so meaningful to me too then and now.
I still hear in recollection when Nik was telling me the first times about his older nephews--his younger sister Elena's children were not yet born, but .... when first heard of his sister's first born baby girl, I recall his reaction, and his call to me, and his plan begun of how and when to visit her in the hospital. He wanted to figure out, with my work and his, how to go together to the hospital, but I told him you go now, today, tomorrow, as you are who's first important for Elena to see, and I will follow. I remember the visits after as E's first and oldest grew, and how very important we made it to his niece's first birthday, the transitions from their NJ apartment home and a Fourth of July visit there and relaxing and chatting on their apartment porch balcony, and these visits too at their then new and present house.
For his nephews already born, Nik had told me that he had in the past babysat for them, pausing, as he so often would while speaking, while I awaited in quiet for his next and continued connected thoughts he shared. While speaking, it was as if he could see his nephews in another good memory standing small in front of him. During this particular story telling, he walked over to and opened a refrigerator for some kind of reference and told me how he made sandwich lunches, where he had kept the sandwiches awaiting his nephew arrival, and who he could take care of watching when visiting at home. Yet they- his eldest nephews- were both grown beyond that stage he had said, and then seemed to come out of his memory.
So now (and back then), he would say so confidently, he expects both are making it and would make it well on their own. They are pretty much beyond preteens-teenagers I knew them from, already young adults, and for that they have done and are, Nik seemed, and clearly to me, to finally not worry about their growing up stages, and was proud -- and finding in the more recent years that boys who sit around enjoying together playing so many hours of computer games, that they finally forget about the time, and those who can put on a pretty good tune, on a CD or play one himself-- are indeed those same nephews he once babysat for.
So that's how I "first met" Nik's older nephews, and even though never could have met in person his other brother too, I could in another way through reminiscence of Nik's. I decided then to myself, that a true confidant to Nik in my estimation, would do well to meet Nik's (then present-day) nephews and enjoy time with these two-- and happy for me, Nik promptly invited me to do so at a rather infamous annual back-then house party. And so for Elena's children, (to come and over the next 7 years), it felt fitting while fun to take the opportunities to play with them, as these memories and times when these tots are young, quietly in his heart, I saw mean so much to Nik. The nostalgic picture his eldest nephew posted some time ago of while so young and standing in Nik's boots, brings up for me some of these of Nik's stories. The cozy and fun times at and with Elena's home and children are forever in our hearts.
I suggest, if you imagine it would fit your tastes, and to bring up some of Nik's wide and colorful mind and ways, and for those who knew Nik who we begin to grasp, after years listening and listening to his thoughts, having fun, and loving Nik -- that even now, you may seek and find the joy in the movie "Amelie." It is in parts about love, life, and the sometimes funny thoughts of how you get to the point to do the things you love in life, and for and with others too you care about. My suggestion is to watch this movie with a friend, or someone in your family.... or as well, go on a bike ride if it's possible for you, or try a new sport or start a new exercise, buy a fish, or go fishing itself, jump upon a boat with your sibling for your birthday, yes Georgi?, or watch some model sailboat races if taking place at the neighborhood park lake (which is another short story of how we did just that, and on one super nice weekend stayover with E&E, Elena &Ev, and then their two eldest, with such surprise enjoyment) -- p.s. purposefully getting snowstormed at E&E's house is great fun too with her kids!, or hey, simply and literally, step into someone's shoes whose shoes are bigger than yours.
The reason could be: just for fun, and too, in some more and in a little bit new or different way, recall, the love of Nik.
gift of adventues
A book, "Urashima Taroo", I bought at the bookstore, and then "gave it to Nik" after one year, at his commemoration last month at the cemetery, given through and to his beautiful family to keep. I had written with it these notes & rememberances:
Loving to settle down, to get in even if only a few minutes of reading a good book, the Kinokuniya or B&N Bookstore were venues where Nik&I met several times. For those who didn't know this about Nik, the in-bookstore cafe was one of many places we'd go for our outings that was considered by both of us, and discovered in another person rarely, but was one more thing we had in common, as something we liked so much to do.
And so we would drop by for a fun treasured time.
It was a place we met I recall twice also to celebrate our relationship.
This type of celebrating, over our years together in many different places, we did each month, as we wanted to make a celebration of what we had more often than after a whole year--as some friends may recall in reference to the word monthaversary.
I came across and had already decided to buy this book, as a present for him, on and just 1 day before Nik passed away last year, the day too then Nik last texted and told me he was enjoying the park (in Cali, with his very much loved brother-like friend Charlie, whose friendship goes way back to their high school days, and with Charlie's family -- thanks forever for that morning together).
The book is a gift I was going to give to Nik therefore in last June....
it's a book that has this particular picture on its cover, that reminds me of Nik's spirit.
So the book is sealed to help protect it as long as it will be... its cover picture's visible (Nik's mom said I or the family would bring it with us, as items like these are not kept by the site's keepers, but I brought it for this one year commemoration day...), so here for others to see and you too Nik if looking one day or even now.
The story and its picture is of a young boy who travels far away, magically through the waters under the sea, and sometimes with his friend,
a sea turtle, (also pictured on the cover) and the same sea creature that in life we both found makes us very happy to see.
It's from an old Japanese story. It tells of adventures, and in some ways, when Nik and I snorkeled together. We dove off ocean boats, to "slightly" under the sea's surface---looking for and finding with excitement, almost like spotting treasures, these large turtles and other sea animals. And as Nik before and after meeting me, deep under the sea, on his scuba diving days' trips, also so happily encountered treasured sea turtles with many other animals, mostly with his guy friends and cousin, these are adventures, Nik did have.