Happy Birthday and missing out our working days at Mizuho.

We know you are in much better place , happy and peaceful.

You're 50 Nik. The reason I say so, is because you truly lived on among us who loved you, and with whom you loved and shared. 
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.

Hey Nik,

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

Happy heavenly birthday cuz.. You are still alive in our hearts and thoughts !

Happy birthday cuz...  Your still very much with us though your physical presence is really missed.....

Dépêche Mode came out with a new song. You were definitely diggin' them back in the day. HBD in Heaven.

As always, you are in my heart and close in my thoughts. Every time the sun shines, it feels like you smiling down on us.

Time goes by, this is one of the saddest days every year..  You are really loved and missed cuz....

Kids and I miss you Nik.. You are always in our thoughts and our hearts.. Much Love Cuz...

You are always in my memory, in my best stories that I tell my kids and often in my dreams. Your birthday was the special excuse we had for taking a camping trip to the California desert, a snowboarding trip to Utah and many other places we'd get together. Every year this day, I wonder what adventure we might have had this year. 

Until we meet again…

Always in my heart. I miss you so much.

Happy birthday cuz.. Years go by and you are still very strong and alive in our hearts and thoughts !

You were very smart and hip in high school. I wish we could have stayed in touch. Rest easy. Peace...

Five years zoomed by and what a loss of very fine talent.
Couple of weeks back discussed Nik's work related input with John and remembered.

I see your smiles, and your laughs, shared so many times so many days. And I feel your spirit of adventure joy and strength. Aunt Tazuko passed away today. I'm glad you and she met, picturing times you laughed together and thru translation talked and talked; you, got her out&about again. No longer need for a translator, fill the skies with your abundant peacefulness.

You’ll always be missed. Rest in paradise my friend.

Happy birthday. Always in our hearts

Added a pic of good memories and moments to your priceless millions given us... xoxo always

Hey dude, I'll never forgot the call I got 4 years ago and the big empty it left in my soul. I think about you often, there are so many stories that I tell my son that involve you. Even though he was too young to remember all the cool stuff we did together and how you toted him around on your back hiking when Dad got tired, he knows you were a very cool guy and a good friend to his Dad. We keep you alive in our hearts and feel privileged to have had you in our lives enough time to have built meaningful memories and great stories and a friendship to last.

It's been 4 years and still I look at the door waiting for you to walk through it. Marley graduated today but I'm sure you had a better view of the ceremony than I did in the back. We all miss you, but me most of all.

Another year goes by.. We all miss you Nik..  Your cuz and all kids..

Not a day goes by without thinking of you. No place is visited without my stone to accompany me. The kids all say hi and the candle burns bright in my kitchen for you today. Happy birthday bro.

We all miss you Nik..  You are always in our thoughts and hearts.. 
Much Love..
Your cousin Andrew and kids

Two years & a month after the day before your last, when I last heard from you in an earthly way, I finally gathered enough determination and verve to look and read through all posts and pictures with their great and touching stories to tell on your memorial site.  

It was an experience in itself, a good one, bringing at times a teary eye or an appreciative smile.  How frequently same outstanding personality traits by the people who grew up with you, or those who met you before me, and those during the years I knew you, were noted and admired, in different ways and words; this was one of many things in what I read positive and reaffirming.

Recently having heard from someone who lost their in life partner, I understand it took four years to do the same and read through a similar site for their partner.  Keeping this in mind, also brings me to think I'm not alone and can be understood on this road of missing your love.

And with love, once from love that lasts,
as we knew and so still know, come what may,
stirs and warms from its thriving where it began, those years ago, without fading.

I left a s'mores for you by the fire pit and a beer in the fridge. Honey Badger says "Hiiiiii". Pip Squeak, Half Pint and Baby Cakes too.
2 years without you is so very hard. I miss you. We all miss you.

We all miss you man..Wish you were here.

Nik... The kids and I are missing you very much, we talk about the times we had together and the things we did together.. We all love you very much and sadness of your passing is still overwhelming.. 
Love, your cousin and friend Andrew, Austin, Kirsten, Skyler and Zak...

A glaring message entry appeared in our whatsapp group chat today, Nik Samouhos left. Even though he left the world, and us, more than a year ago, it felt like he was still with us in our group chat. We toasted to his birthday, mourned his passing in the chat, as if he could still hear us. When the carrier finally reassigned his number to someone else and that person left our group chat, it feels like another piece of him got pulled from our memories. We miss you my brother, I know you're watching over us. We visited your home land this year as promised, and we'll bring the memories of you with us everywhere we go. Cheers to you my brother, rest in peace!

Nik's family member wrote a message for Nik she wanted to share.
I asked to share it where all others of his family and all who love Nik could read it & the reply was of course (I think it's the sweetest) ....

.... To my love Niko. We are missing you, but I know you are together with Dennis and your other cousins.  I love you, Argyrios, and everyone here.

My Meli,

I regret not taking a lot of pictures of us. Remember when you bought me a camera for my birthday? Thinking now how I didn’t see the significance. This is one of the things I will forever regret. We had done so many things during our short lived bond which is embedded in my memory as well as in my heart, but it would have been nice to see the pictures. But what gives me some sort of comfort is that I have a few cherished ones. We also shared feelings about a future for you and me which included a family. I had children already, in which you had welcomed with open arms, but I was willing to have yours. I had always wondered if you had children and always hoped for that.

I also regret not reaching out to you, just to tell you that I was sorry. I’d figured one day, I thought I had all the time in the world. It was not to rekindle what we had, but to say sorry I wasn’t able to handle the love you gave me. You know when something is too good to be true Meli? Well that was us! It was too perfect and I just didn’t know how to handle that. I’ve made a mess out of things and for that I will be forever sorry.
 
I hope you know now what my true intentions were. 

“Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson

It was an incredible and exhausting journey for me to go about collecting my brother’s belongings, documenting them and safely storing them. The joy and sorrow, inspired by the reflection I saw of him in each item, was priceless. 

Please paste the link on the bottom of this post into a new tab in your browser to access the photo archive of Nik’s Belongings…

I am sure Nik is pleased with the care and affection shown while organizing his things and I am sure he is happy to know we are making them available to friends and family anywhere in the world.... for keepsakes or needs.

Please go through the photos. Zoom in on them. If you see something that triggers a memory, makes your heart skip a beat or can be put to good use... then please post your thoughts and comments in dropbox or get in touch with me via email and let me know.

Please forward this post or email it to anyone of Nik's friends or family you feel would benefit and please stay in touch by subscribing to this memorial site or emailing me at George@Samouhos.com

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https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lbrfmuxkxqv6wkx/AAACQoIR1ZcyEtkQhyvtyVLva?dl=0

Unbelievable. A year passed since I heard your voice Nik-san, at least say anything new. There’s a recording or two, memories, and you have shown us where to start to get to our better selves too. Then there's what's in our hearts of our true love, and that’s from where we could never part.

A year went by fast, a lot of things have changed, and a lot of things remained the same. I'm sure you're up there watching over all of us, beer in hand and a smile on your face. I miss you brother, wish you were still with us.

Family and Friends will be gathering to share memories, love and support in remembrance of Nikolas Samouhos. Arms are open wide to all those that knew Nik as a family member or friend. Please let us know if you will be joining us so that we can ensure a comfortable gathering.

Date: June 18th, 2016
Time: Noon
Where: Fairview Cemetery (500 Fairview Ave, Fairview, NJ 07022; off 1&9 in Bergen County)
Afterwards: Kaname Japanese Restaurant (783 Palisade Ave, Cliffside Park, NJ 07010) - Nik’s local favorite for Sake, where the doors will be open from 1PM to 4PM.

POST AFTERWARDS PARTY: BEER-B-Q @ Nik's House - 7 Webster St, Ridgefield Park NJ. 6pm+ ALL NIGHT, just like Nik would want. If you need a spot to sleep, buy a tent. Again, like Nik would. Or a hammock. Or an RV. Yeah, like Nik would. Please just tell Tim, or Vinnie if you'll be staying over.

Please pass on the invitation and make sure to contact Friends and Family that are not using the internet.

We look forward to seeing all of you.

Please continue to contribute your memories and tributes at: http://www.forevermissed.com/nikolaki

Please use the link here to RSVP. Thank you.

http://evite.me/KGzntpQFTU

https://www.facebook.com/events/241983719498714/

So I have definitely been out of sorts Niku-san during this birthday week of yours. I've been putting down thoughts for a while, some over months since June, but our memories were over and what last for years. Look under "Stories" to find some of these memories. I'll keep looking up at the stars where you are, and what have put us both in awe looking up when together here on earth.

I still find myself picking up the phone to text you. You're sadly missed, my friend.

Happy birthday Nik..  You are really missed, it's still very difficult for all of us to grasp.. Love, your cousin Andrew....

Happy Birthday in Heaven Nik!!

I have difficulty with the words to express the sorrow I feel even now having learned of your passing. The childhood memories we shared are some of the most incredible I have. Years and growing up filled with laughter and lessons learned. You are one of the smartest people I have met and yet we still did some of the stupidest things imaginable. Like the time we rode our bicycles (at 12 or 13yrs old) from Cliffside to Lyndhurst and back on Route 1 & 9 and Route 3 (no sidewalks or shoulders) not to mention getting separated on the way home, getting totally lost and ending up in Jersey City. So many more memories flooding my mind. I will keep them ready for when we meet again. Until then, you will be missed my friend. Rest peacefully.

...Suddenly everything becomes so simple that scary. We lose the needs, the luggage is reduced. The opinions of others, are really of others, even if they are over us;It does not matter. We abandon the certainties that we are no longer sure of anything, and we do not need. We live by what we feel. Stop judging because there is no longer good or bad, but rather the life that chose each. Finally we understand that all that matters is to have peace and quiet, to live without fear, it is to do what gladdens the heart at that moment. And nothing more. When we discovered all that is when the full satisfaction arrives. The real true happiness :) ....
I'll be forever grateful to you, everything you taught me and all that we live, you were perfect. Love you

My family wrote to me this message and for your family: “So sorry for your loss. I believe Nik will be watching over you from heaven. You will always be loved by him. Our whole family sends their love and condolences. Take care, one day at a time! With love”, via KC (and as Nik and immediate family knows me, Kimii) …. My family loves Nik, and his heart.

I still remember meeting up with you in the lobby of the hotel in Vegas on Saturday and you said to me: just like old times man! I still can't believe that was the last time I got to see you, but I'm glad I did. You will be missed my brother, may you rest in peace.

Though I didn't know Nik well, I was always impressed with his generosity and his good will towards all. Look at these pictures. Here is a man who LIVED. Such a spirit is in too short supply these days. The world is a less bright place without him. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Nik,

I speak for many of your friends and former colleagues when I say we were devastated by the news of your passing. Your thirst for life and adventure was legendary and you followed your dreams with complete fearlessness. Despite all you had seen and done, you carried yourself with a simple humility and gentleness that touched so many people and made for countless friendships all over the world. "Go big" you would often say, part challenge, part exhortation. I will always think of you when I hear these words and remember your example of a life lived to the fullest.

To Nik's family and friends,
My deepest condolences and sympathies. I hope there is some measure of comfort in knowing that this truly exceptional person will be remembered by so many.

Nik, I enjoyed the few times we got to hang out, and I greatly admired your adventurous spirit. I know that you would agree with me in my belief that a great life should be celebrated and not mourned, and that is what I will do. I will live as well as I can every day, and always try to keep your memory alive. Cheers, my friend.

“I am always saddened by the death of a good person. It is from this sadness that a feeling of gratitude emerges. I feel honored to have known them and blessed that their passing serves as a reminder to me that my time on this beautiful earth is limited and that I should seize the opportunity I have to forgive, share, explore, and love. I can think of no greater way to honor the deceased than to live this way.”

Nik, I learn so much from you at work until this day i still mention your name in my current job. Thanks for being an inspiration to me and for becoming my friend. This is not a goodbye its see you later... RIP

How can a light so bright go out so soon. Every time I saw you you had an energy around you that just drew people to you. And a warmth and genuine love for life. I remember going with Sean to meet you in the city - sometimes with Charlie- and the night was always just starting for you guys no matter how late it was. I didn't know you that well. But this news has hit me deeply, partly because of the impact on your family who I love, and partly because the world has definitely lost some light and we all feel a bit of the darkness. Rest in peace Nik.

Had a crazy good time with you and friends in DR last year, may you rest in peace, always

My thoughts and prayers with the Samouhos family.

"God's plan for him is better that ours... someday we`ll know"