Amin Nazari, a fourth-year commerce student, is being remembered by his peers as a reliable, thoughtful, and dedicated student leader and friend.
Nazari passed away on Jan. 31, with the Residence Society (ResSoc), the Commerce Society (ComSoc), and Queen’s Business Review (QBR) making commemorative posts. Nazari held various roles throughout his time at Queen’s, this year holding multiple positions, including ComSoc’s vice-president (operations), ResSoc’s Brant House president, and QBR’s editorial advisor. The Queen’s flag was lowered to half-mast on the day of his Celebration of Life in Thornhill on Feb. 3.
In statements to The Journal, Nazari’s friends reflected their care for him as an individual, pointing out the impact he’s had on the community throughout his time at Queen’s.
ComSoc President Prem Mehta-Spooner explained that he met Nazari in their first year in orientation. He explained Nazari had a calming presence, always wearing sunglasses, and showed a genuine interest in others.
While most students were trying to find their balance, Mehta-Spooner explained Nazari was already considering ways to ensure his community felt connected, including through helping organize initiatives for the Commerce 2026 class.
Mehta-Spooner said they became closer through student government, with Nazari running for AMS representative after Mehta-Spooner encouraged him to do so. Nazari later rose to Commerce Senator and ultimately ComSoc’s vice-president (operations).
“Amin’s motivation to serve stemmed from the idea that students needed to feel seen, supported and connected. He cared deeply about community building, especially in a competitive program like Commerce, and he always made an effort to know the people behind the scenes and hear their stories,” Mehta-Spooner said.
He later explained that Nazari didn’t take any opportunities for granted. Involved in roles all around campus, Mehta-Spooner said Nazari always had a desire “to learn, get to know new individuals, and know various views. That passion influenced his thought and leadership.”
He also recalled a memory they shared that stood out to him.
“A single moment, which reveals his character, came when he gifted me a fountain pen with a note. He wrote that we were going to sign numerous documents that would assist Commerce students, and that the pen would act as a reminder to make good decisions. That minor act revealed that, as a friend and a leader, he was intentional and caring.”
He explained that, alongside being a student leader himself, Nazari was a mentee to others and always encouraged people to get involved.
“A large number of the student leaders currently active were recruited because Amin actually called them, listened to them, and helped them feel like they belonged.”
Above all his leadership qualities, Mehta-Spooner pointed out the kind of person Nazari was at his core.
“However, what I will always remember most, is his friendship, his thoughtfulness, and how he was caring of the people around him. He is leaving behind a legacy of humanity and a lot of us will spend a long time trying to live up to the example his life left us with.”
Former ResSoc President in 2024-25, Allen Wu, HealthSci ’25, was close friends with Nazari. They met when Wu was in a separate leadership role in ReSoc, before being elected president. He explained they met when Wu was helping Nazari move into Leggett Hall, and later saw each other again that day when Wu was selling tickets for the Tri-Colour Classic (TCC) Basketball game.
“Out of all the students who wanted tickets, only one person asked for two. That person was Amin. I found out later that evening that my close friend, Sarmad, also in the Health Sciences program, had a friend who took a gap year and just moved into residence, starting the Commerce program. Everything came together at this moment. Amin wanted to buy Sarmad, his best friend, an extra ticket to attend the TCC basketball game together,” Wu wrote, explaining Nazari secured the extra ticket, and the three of them became close friends after this.
Wu explained that Nazari later became the ResSoc vice-president (operations) executive intern, showing dedication through his time in the position.
“Whether it was as simple as coming up with ideas or helping set up events, he was always willing to put in the time and effort to make things happen. I knew very early on that he was an incredibly generous person,” Wu wrote.
Wu explained that in Nazari’s third year, he was working with Wu as the Chief Financial Officer at ResSoc, while also involved in QBR as their Senior Politics Editor, the Co-Chair of the Queen’s Data Analytics Association, and other student representative roles.
Despite this, it never changed who Nazari was.
“No matter what position or role or title he held, he was always the same person I met in his first year. An extremely charismatic, genuinely curious, generous, and funny individual.”
“He only wished people the best. He loved to banter and was the center of attention when making jokes. Amin was the type of person who would always “laugh” you out of your lowest moments. He had a genuine ability to “pull strings out of nowhere” to make you laugh.”
His generosity was only exemplified through their interactions, Wu explained. He said that Nazari was a fan of gift-giving, but after Wu noticed him always using his laptop for meetings, school assignments, and his work, he decided to return his generosity and give him portable and extendable monitors for his laptop.
“He loved the gift. However, he asked me to return my gift and get him some nice Sony XM5 headphones. I later found out that he only wanted the headphones so he could give them to his parents to use when he did not. He was that kind of person, so caring and understanding, always thinking of others before himself.”
Arani Hiritharan, HealthSci ’27, also met Nazari during her time in ResSoc. She explained she recalled feeling awkward and out of place as a younger member of the team, but Nazari’s presence felt immediately warm and welcoming.
“Through subtle jokes and comments, he softened the formal atmosphere of the sessions and brought an energy that made everyone feel more at ease. That warmth carried through all of my interactions with him,” Hiritharan wrote.
She said she saw how dedicated he was to his work, and explained he always gave it 100 per cent.
In her interactions with Nazari, she said his genuine care for others was reflected, which makes his loss feel especially difficult.
“It was so sudden, and it’s difficult to accept that he simply isn’t here anymore, there’s a noticeable gap, a sense of emptiness.”
Campus resources are available to students who are struggling. Counselling services are being offered through Student Wellness Services, Faith and Spiritual Life provides grief support, and Care Support Services can connect students to a variety of support and resources.
Tags
Commemoration, ComSoc, Remembering, ResSoc, student death
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