We lost a 'unique' friend

The loss of Nikos fills us with sadness; this kind of sadness that is difficult to capture.
A rare person, a great soul, a huge heart. A different kind of man, ‘weird guy’ for those from a distance, unique for those who knew him even a little bit.

Mentor for many, pioneer for our science in ethos and contribution. Knowledgeable, not within the narrow confines of our science, with a penetrating look, with vision and ambition, with perspectives and ideas that inspired many people, colleagues and students. Generous, always available to discuss with passion others’ ideas and willing to help anyone who asked for his help.

A citizen of the world, every place a home of his, he was born and raised in Thessaloniki where he studied Physical Education and Sports at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, got his Master and PhD from the University of Exeter, and worked in several universities in UK, Singapore, and lately Australia. A regular visitor to universities around the world and well connected with our Department in Trikala, he collaborated with a great number of colleagues and young researchers from dozens of countries around the world. He had an impressive volume of work, especially considering the young of his age, he published in the leading journals of psychology in the areas of sports and exercise, health and education.

He only had friends. You never knew what to expect from Nikos, he always had something new to surprise you with, an idea, an incomprehensible story, an awful joke; you would never be bored talking with him, you would never be bored staying silent with him. Self-sarcastic, never afraid to expose himself, never tried to pretend to be something he wasn't, never tried to hide who he was at all costs, spontaneous and original, always!

He left unjustly so young, so suddenly, as suddenly he used to appear and disappear from our lives; we didn't even have time to think that maybe he would leave for good, we didn't manage to honor him as he deserved, we didn't have time to tell him the last goodbye.

The exception to the rule "no one is irreplaceable" … he will be missed.

His friends and colleagues
from the Department of Physical Education & Sport Science at the University of Thessaly

Χάσαμε έναν ‘μοναδικό’ φίλο

Η απώλεια του Νίκου μας γεμίζει θλίψη … το είδος αυτό της θλίψης που είναι δύσκολο να αποτυπωθεί.
Ένας σπάνιος άνθρωπος, μια μεγάλη ψυχή, μία τεράστια καρδιά. Ένας άνθρωπος διαφορετικός, ‘περίεργος τύπος’ για αυτούς που τον έβλεπαν από έξω, μοναδικός για όσους τον ήξεραν έστω και λίγο.