My grandfather, mother and her little sister at Knockalisheen refugee camp, Limerick, Ireland.  (1956)

Nick’s family were refugees who fled the Hungarian revolution and located in the Delta. His grandfather worked as a steelworker at Stelco and his grandmother worked as a shipper at Susan Shoes, to make ends meet and provide a better life for their children.

My grandfather, mother, grandmother holding my uncle as they arrive in Canada in 1958. (from left to right)

Dad and Mom with “little Nicky”

After escaping from the former Yugoslavia, my father came to Canada met and married my mother. They located on Parkdale Avenue after having their first of two children. Dad worked at Camco Inc. a factory making fridges and stoves.  Mom waitressed in order to go back to school and became a nurse.  We were a close knit family that spent a lot of time together.

My mom and me at Stoney Creek Battlefield Park.

Nick at Ivor Wynne Stadium after playing his last game for the Hamilton Hurricanes, CJFL.

Nick with his brother David after his graduation ceremony at McMaster University

His family’s example instilled in Nick a strong work ethic and a desire to excel. He worked full time through high school and worked at the same factory as his father during university. Nick obtained three degrees at McMaster University, a law degree at Queen’s University and a master’s degree in law from the University of Toronto.

At home with friends and family.

Nick with students, lawyers and judges at an awards ceremony

As a lawyer, Nick fought for social justice by protecting workers and pensioners from unfair treatment during bankruptcy. He helped bring an international corporation to court for using slaves to build a pipeline and secured Charter protection at the Supreme Court for a pensioner denied benefits because he was gay. He has participated in NAFTA related litigation protecting pregnant women from sexual harassment in sweatshops, and to protect the health and safety of farmworkers using pesticides at work.

Nick teaching students constitutional law.

As a law professor, Nick has taught labour, trade and constitutional law and published books and articles in these areas. He has won a national academic competition to fund his research dealing with worker’s rights during bankruptcy and has been nominated for a prestigious teaching award.  Nick also coauthored Bill C-331, which is currently before Parliament that would, if passed, protect labour, human and environmental rights.

Teenage Nick gets to meet Hamilton NDP MP Ian Deans on Parliament Hill.

A more mature Nick meets Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada’s NDP.

Nick engaged in political activity as a young student at McMaster.

From an early age Nick was an activist. At McMaster he served as Vice President of the NDP campus club organizing protests against tuition increases and advocating for public auto insurance. Nick agitated to divest from South Africa and gathered signatures to free Nelson Mandela.

Mom’s graduation photo from Mohawk College.

My mother set a shining example of the importance of public service for me and my brother. She worked as an intensive care nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital and taught us to be ethical and honest in our everyday lives. She advocated for her patients and was always held in high esteem by her colleagues and patients alike.

My Dad carrying his union’s flag at the Hamilton Labour Day parade.

My father acted in the Serbian National Theatre and served as an executive member of his union, CAW Local 504.  When we marched in the Labour Day parade together he used to stress the importance of giving back to the community and inspired me to get involved in the labour movement.

His little princesses Sarah and Mary getting ready for Halloween.

Our family: Nick, Sarah, Ann and Mary (left to right)

Nick and Ann are married with two children, two cats and a dog. “My wife and daughters inspire me to be the best man I can possibly be and to leave this world a better place than I found it.”