Obituary of Kole Nick Vasija
Kole "Nick" Vasija of London, Ontario, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026, at the age of 97, after a long and rewarding life. We are deeply grateful to have had him in our lives for so many years. Born on February 1, 1929, in Shkoder, Albania, Nick's early life was defined by resilience, courage, and an unbreakable spirit of positivity. He lived what he described as an idyllic childhood, educated by the Jesuits, until the end of World War II changed the course of his life. As a teenager, in 1948, he was forced to flee Albania, his home and family, never to see them again. As part of a resistance against Russian occupation, his life was threatened. He saved himself by walking over treacherous mountains into Kosovo for safety. After teaching there for a year, he was forced to escape again, facing deportation. He fled to Slovenia and then crossed more mountains into Austria in 1949, he entered the internment camp at Fraschette d'Alatri on March 13, 1951. He endured five months in camps throughout Italy before sailing by boat to Halifax, Nova Scotia, arriving on August 22, 1951. Carrying only the weight of all he had already endured, Nick entered Canada with the same positivity that would stay with him for the rest of his life. He channeled his indomitable energy into a remarkable career as a well-known and well-respected real estate broker in London, admired for his honesty and integrity. He was the quintessential gentleman of a bygone era: charming, polished, principled, and always kind-hearted. Nick loved cooking hearty meals for loved ones, staying active and physically fit into his later years, engaging in spirited discussions about politics, devouring books on history and current events, and outmaneuvering opponents over chessboards and ping pong tables. He savored the occasional glass of Crown Royal and homemade red wine, often while cheering unabashedly as a lifelong Montreal Canadiens fan. But his greatest joy came from his deep devotion to his two daughters and their families, whom he loved unconditionally with a warmth that knew no bounds. Orsalina, his beloved wife, remained the love of his life even after her passing in 1977. He drew strength from his past and endured the sadness in his life to ensure he was always there for his daughters before anything else. He will forever be remembered by his cherished daughters Sue (Walt) and Diane (Carm); beloved grandchildren Katie (Paul), Cole (Ryan), Claudia (Nick), Emily (Myles), and Ben (Ryann); and precious great-grandchildren Bianka and Tate, whom he came to love dearly. The family extends its deepest gratitude to the compassionate staff at Amica, and to Dr. Phil Andros and the team at St. Thomas Elgin Hospital, who cared for Nick as family. A private family service was held to celebrate Nick's incredible journey and remarkable life. Donations to Humane Society London Middlesex or Breast Cancer at Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre c/o LHSF.ca would be appreciated.
