The Story of Tristan Nilsen

Tristan's story is one of friendship, inspiration, self discovery and a brilliantly complex mind. Tristan was destined for greatness, it was just a matter of time before the world discovered what that greatness was.

At the age of six, Tristan had hiked 40km through the Grand Canyon, at eight, was doing 20km hikes to Cloud Rest in Yosemite National Park and at ten, walking through the shallows of the salt flats of Death Valley National Park in 52c temperatures.

Through his years, Tristan did the things that all the other kids did. He played community soccer and hockey, experienced the outdoors through scouts, participated in kids triathlons. Tristan spent seven years in competitive swimming and last year asked the question, ‘why am I swimming back and forth like everyone else?’

In an effort to discover what his greatness might be, he very bravely changed direction and discovered he had elite level potential in middle distance running. Tristan came fifth in the Calgary Cross Country City Final and had a race of a lifetime at the Canadian National Cross Country Championships that raised the eyebrows of coaches to his potential. While Run Training with the Calgary Spartans, he also joined the Kronos Triathlon Club to maintain his swimming, learn about cycling, and explore his potential.

In high school, Tristan was a member of the Swim Club and Cross Country Running Club, inspiring others to join in the sports he loved, teaching them swimming and cheering all of his team mates from the sidelines.

But those were the things Tristan did. It wasn’t who he was, it wasn’t his greatness.

Tristan had once said that he didn’t want to just be known as an athlete.

Tristan had a complexity and brilliance that we all so subtly experienced… so subtle that maybe we didn’t even comprehend we were experiencing it.

Tristan was his most authentic self with his sister Sofia, creating videos, silly dances and working on cars. Two best friends sharing a life of laughter and music. Tristan was adored by his aunts, uncles and cousins Marina, Nicole and Olivia who together with Sofia would put on fashion show productions, photo shoots and karaoke nights. The crazier the better.

The class Tristan talked about the most at school was drama, where he learned to express himself as an actor and storyteller. The St. Boniface community will remember him for his performance as ‘The Wizard’ in the school Wizard of Oz Play. In high school, his performances were shockingly incredible, drawing gasps from the crowds.

Tristan told us his story… through his life. We were both his audience, and his cast of actors each playing an important role in that story. He was an athlete and a scholar who had a future of seemingly infinite potential. He had the biggest, kindest, most gentle and loving heart, but was also a goofy, dorky kid that did silly things to entertain and make people laugh without care to what anyone thought as long as it brought a smile to someone's face.

Like an Academy Award Winning Movie, the true complexity and brilliance of Tristan's story is not in the Tragedy, but in the friendships, the success, the inspiration of his journey and then ultimately leaving us, his audience and cast with the unanswered question ‘How’ and ‘Why’.

Remember Tristan's story as the most brilliant and inspirational story ever told. Cherish the time you were given to watch it and the opportunities you were given to participate in it, as much as Tristan cherished your friendships and the inspiration you brought into his life.

For that was Tristan's True Greatness.

Tristan's story will continue to be shared and remembered by his parents Chris and Anabela, his sister Sofia, Avô (Grandpa), Grandma Lucille and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, teammates and friends who will miss him dearly.

To share your memories of Tristan's Story or messages of condolence, please send a sympathy card via the link on the left hand side of this page.

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