Nazmi Ndreu was born in Slove, Albania in 1935 to Gani and Shiqirie Ndreu. He was the third child and had six siblings (Merjeme, Haki, Haxhi, Agim, Flora and Mendu). He loved his native homeland and enjoyed telling stories about his childhood and family history. Nazmi recalled an active and happy childhood, one in which he played with his siblings, walked to school, explored their property and picked plenty of fruit and nuts from the many trees surrounding their home. Political changes in the early 1950’s led to hardship for the Ndreu family and after many years in the former Yugoslavia and Italy, Nazmi made his way to Canada.
He began work at Cara Operations where he met his soon to be wife, Annie. Nazmi and Annie lived in Bramalea and started their family. Linda, Lisa, Lillian and eventually, Justin, made up the Ndreu household. Nazmi continued to work at Cara becoming their Customer Service Representative where he proudly worked for many years with airlines such as British Airways, Swissair, Air France, Air China, Alitalia and Lufthansa. Nazmi would speak enthusiastically of the planes he worked with from the Britannia 1 and Comet 4, to the Concorde and 747. Nazmi enjoyed his work immensely, the many people he met and relationships he nurtured as well as the unique opportunities his job presented.
In 1981, Nazmi and Annie moved their family to Caledon. Nazmi continued to commute to Cara until his retirement in 2000 and was always content with his decision to move farther north and raise his children in a small town. The town grew and so did Nazmi’s family as over time, he and Annie became grandparents to 10 children! Zachary, Nicole, Abbey, Faith, Annika, Mats, Hudson, Sydney, Ella and Jack brought a smile to Nazmi’s face and a joy that is indescribable. Nazmi’s greatest happiness came from the happiness of others and his immediate and extended families meant the world to him. Family barbecues, birthday parties, holiday dinners and backyard games were common occurrences at the Ndreu home. Nazmi cherished these gatherings as did his entire family. We will continue with the traditions that were so meaningful to our Dad and cherish every memory we had with him.
After battling illness, Nazmi passed away peacefully on November 20 with his wife Annie by his side. Nazmi will be dearly missed and forever loved by all of his family.
A Memorial Visitation will be held at the Dods & McNair Funeral Home, Chapel & Reception Centre, 21 First St., Orangeville on Saturday, November 30, 2019 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Memorial donations to the Bethell Hospice Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
A tree will be planted in memory of Nazmi in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. The annual dedication service will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com