Dear Colleagues,
It is with the deepest sadness that I share the news of the untimely passing of Apostolos Marinakos, a University of Waterloo third-year mechanical engineering student, on Tuesday, January 25.
Apostolos, fondly known by his friends as Ap, was an aspiring design engineer with a kind heart and a strong sense of justice. He was a proud Powertrain team member of the University of Waterloo Formula Motorsports team (UWFM). He was also very proud of his research work with Professor Zhao Pan in the Interdisciplinary Fluid Physics Lab. His family shared that he will be much missed by his parents and two younger brothers currently living in Calgary, Alberta. His mother, Kathy, told me how much Apostolos loved his engineering studies.
Plans to memorialize Apostolos will be shared as arrangements are finalized. Apostolos’ family encourages the sharing of memories of Apostolos and are keen to know about the friendships he forged while a Waterloo student.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Apostolos’ family and friends as they grieve his loss.
Please know that there are counselling services available to help deal with the painful news of the passing of a fellow student and friend. You can contact any of these available resources:
Support for Students
Counselling Services - 519-888-4567 ext. 42655 (new extension)
EmpowerMe, Student Assistance Program
Student Health Benefit (for private counselling)
Here 24/7 - 1-844-437-3247
Health Services - Student Medical Clinic - 519-888-4096
Grand River Hospital - 519-749-4300
St. Mary's Hospital - 519-744-3311
Good2Talk - 1-866-925-5454
Crisis Services Canada - 1-833-456-4566 or by texting 45645
Bereaved Families of Ontario-Midwestern Region
Canadian Mental Health Association: Specific for support in grieving
Employee based support for faculty and staff
Employee and Family Assistance Plan
Employee Extended Health Benefits (private counselling)
The Counselling Services Team will be organizing grief sessions for students, faculty and staff as we deal with the loss of a fellow Waterloo Engineer.
Take care everyone,
Mary