Obituary of Krassimir Dimitrov Kanev

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Krassimir Dimitrov Kanev. Krassi departed from this world on April 24, 2024, in Alexandria, Virginia, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, humor, and an insatiable zest for life. Survived by his wife, Maya, his daughter, Diana, his sister, Petya, as well as a large extended family, Krassi's absence will be profoundly felt by his vast circle of relatives, colleagues, and friends all over the globe.

Krassi was born in Tolbuhin, Bulgaria on November 8, 1950. He lived and worked in Sofia, Bulgaria until 1997, when he moved to the United States with his wife and daughter. He considered both Bulgaria and the United States his homes and was grateful that he had “the best of both worlds,” including the privilege to complain about both. 

Krassi loved his family beyond measure. He was as giving and caring as he was demanding. His wife of 42 years was in many ways the center of his universe and his absolute rock. He frequently acknowledged he would be lost without her, and he respected her tremendously. Krassi was also incredibly proud of his daughter. He frequently credited her with all sorts of accomplishments - some deserved, some not quite as much in her opinion, but that never stopped him.     

Krassi's professional journey as a financial consultant in the energy sector took him to the far corners of the earth, from Ukraine to Timor-Leste, Armenia and Kosovo to Antigua and Barbuda. Work was vital to him, and he struggled through illness to stay working full time until the very end. With extreme pride, he would explain: "The work I do is very, very important. I have a wonderful team, and I cannot let them down."  He loved what he did, and he did it with uninterrupted dedication.  

A force of nature in both his personal and professional life, Krassi loved teaching and helping others. He had little patience for what he considered incompetence, and made it his mission to explain and fix things. A true globetrotter, Krassi loved to travel and frequently boasted that he hit all the destinations on his bucket list. He delighted in sharing with others “the perfect itinerary” for this or that trip, “the best sites” to see, or “truly the perfect food” to try.  What Krassi may have lacked in modesty, he offset with an overabundance of humor and wit. His boisterous laughter and animated storytelling filled every room he entered, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him. 

Krassi leaves behind a chasm in our hearts that will take time to heal. It will be many days before we can get used to how quiet the house is without him. We take solace in his love for us and the fact that he lived happily on his own terms without regrets.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 29, 2024 at 2:00 pm at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, please click here to view the services live, followed by a graveside service at 3:00pm at Columbia Gardens Cemetery.

Due to Holy Week before East Orthodox Easter, the family does not plan to hold a reception after the services.  Flowers will be available at the gravesite.