Asyrmatos to Canada: An 80-year journey

By Tania Kollias

Accounts of talented, gold-hearted people who lived life 'on the ground' are rarely heard. This is about one of them. Within a family's history and 'snapshots' of Athens, Winnipeg, Vancouver and the Far North back in the day, is the story of how one person overcame hardship and held on to kindness using old-school grit, living by his wits, and keeping a sense of humour. Nick Kollias, fatherless at age 6, grew up in the long demolished, almost mythic refugee 'ghetto' on the hill next to the Acropolis in the wake of Greece's catastrophic defeat in war. He sailed to Canada at 17 but was tricked by his sponsor/employer, and then members of his own family. He bucked tradition to marry an Englishwoman, won life's lottery - love - and thrived, starting his own businesses and even building his own home from the age of 11. With 'badass' acts of kindness, extraordinary physical and mental strength, wisdom and modesty, despite the hardships and disappointments, he just 'took it as it is' to make the best of each step amid the joys and sorrows. Hence publication -- a privilege that every kid wishes they could do -- write about their parent.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1679043315
• ISBN13: 9781679043314
• Release Date: February 2020
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.5"