Dragos wanted to be a milonguero. And he was.

He upheld the códigos—aloof at the bar, standing with his Toronto milonguero friends while women watched, waited, and tried to catch his eye. I was one of them. But he was a milonguero in the way that mattered most: in his dance.

His embrace was transcendent. His musicality was off the charts. There was something mysterious about it—because it wasn’t academic. You don’t learn this in workshops. You can’t. It simply was, because he was—shaped by what he loved, what he suffered, what intrigued his formidable intellect, and what moved his soul.

I remember Elina Roldán in Toronto—one of the great porteña milongueras—standing there, clearly wanting to dance with him, while Dragos looked in the other direction, convinced she couldn’t possibly mean him. Until she fixed him with a look and said, “Get off your butt and dance, dammit!”

I remember him buying too many musical instruments for no apparent reason, naming his electric guitar “Marilyn,” and disappearing into the washroom whenever anyone threatened him with a birthday dance.

He lent me impossibly dense David Foster Wallace—on tennis, on cruises—and expected a book report. He told strange, half-believable stories about studying architecture in something like a commune in Chile, and sneaking off to dance tango instead.

He claimed he had once been a young blond hockey player—something almost impossible to reconcile with the immaculate milonguero in a suit, silver-haired and self-contained.

And there was the story—true or not, but true to him—of the Argentinian girl he loved. She taught him to dance. Her father, a general, disapproved. He didn’t get the girl. But he got the tango.

I will miss you terribly, Dragos.

I hope you are still dancing—somewhere—in that great milonga in the sky.

Dragos was one of those exceptional tango dancers that understood what it was to dance with the music and with his partner.   His musical ingenuity and ability to dance with and syncopating the music in playfulness, was second to none.  He had the embrace of a true tanguero.  Even after his stroke during  an "off-day" dancing due to imbalance, he was a joy!  He would squeal and make me laugh while in close embrace never letting go, enjoying the moment to the fullest! It was always a delightful dance because of his intention and presence in the moment. As a jokester, Dragos once saw me cycling downtown on my bike on my way to work on a busy downtown street in my suit. I did not notice him as I was stopped at a red traffic light looking forward. He was riding as a passenger with his brother in his brother's truck. He told his brother that women like to be honked at and that it was a compliment to make a pass at random women! He proceeded to hit his brother's car horn repeatedly to attract my attention. His brother had no choice but to play along as I had already turned my head to look at what the commotion/honking was. I gave Drago's brother an odd annoyed look - wondering why he would honk at me? Then Dragos popped his head out from the passenger side,  wildly waved at me while his brother was in shock at Dragos' boldness at being such a flirt! Obviously, the brother did not know Dragos knew me.  This was just how Dragos was!  :D  A true gentleman and a joyful character.  Always respectful, yet with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes and a joke ready at the tip of his tongue.  Ready to make us laugh. He is remembered so fondly in the tango community and will be sorely missed! XO 

Truly sad news, rest in peace dear friend! You will not be forgotten.

My Dear friend Dragos...our connection to Eastern Europe and the depth as friends were many...you were always positive and an intellectual! I always looked forward seeing you throughout our friendship and spending time with you was always a joy.. Thank you for your conversations and laughter..what a wonderful memory. Rest in peace Dragos...will miss you my friend.

"Friends are the family we choose..."

Always a smile. A sweet gentle soul

The world has lost a beautiful man.

I loved you like you were my brother.  May God illuminate your soul.

DD.... you'll be greatly missed.  I feel terribly sad.

I carry with me beautiful memories of my dear friend Dragos, whom I met in Toronto in 1989 through my brother Said Sabet.

From the very beginning, he stood out—not only for his intelligence, but for his quiet kindness and the warmth he brought into every conversation. He had a way of seeing the world that felt deeper, more thoughtful, and truly special.

He was an amazing photographer, Dragos captured more than just images; he captured feelings, fleeting moments, and the hidden beauty in everyday life. Through his lens, you could sense his soul—gentle, observant, and full of wonder. I still have his beautiful photos paintings that he gave me.

Though time has passed, his memory remains vivid in my heart. I will always remember his smile, his perspective, and the calm presence he carried so naturally.

My heartfelt condolences go out to his family. May they find comfort in knowing how deeply he was admired, how fondly he is remembered, and how his light continues to live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

Malileh

Doha, Qatar 

This is how my Cousin Ali reacted on the news of Dragos’s passing to me via txt: 

I suppose you know that he was the one who first drew me toward philosophy. In our last conversation before I left for Germany (doing physics) he argued that physics without philosophy is like a nearsighted person without glasses, and he gave me a book by Immanuel Kant. I only fully understood what he meant later, when I took philosophy courses at the UofT.

In many particle physics seminars I presented, I used his quotes—I even asked his permission, though, as you know, he would just joke and never take it too seriously. He was, in many ways, ahead of his time—truly remarkable. It’s unfortunate that I can’t be there; otherwise, I certainly would have attended.

Oh, I t’s a great loss. He was one of those brilliance intellectuals who was never recognized in North American society. I’ve always believed that, if he had been in Europe (France or the UK) he might have been celebrated as a major thinker and philosopher, in addition to his work in architecture.

I told him many times, seriously, that he should go there.

His knowledge was extraordinary—there was hardly a classic work in philosophy, sociology, literature, or music (alongside architecture and art) that he hadn’t read. With thousands of books he read, for me he was a living library.

Please send my condolences to his family if you see them.

Ali is one of the world’s most expert particle physicists scientists and we both loved , love and forever will love Dragos! 

From: Lorelei / Lolo - childhood friend

We are thinking a lot of Dragos and of all of you.May he rest in peace. He will be forever an eve in our hearts. Hugs and kisses from Germany.

Lolo,Peter,Geta,Julia with family and Tim with Elena

From: Tanaz Sabetfakhri - personal friend

What a terrible tragedy, and what a treasure we lost ! I have my best memories with him. I still have his beautiful paintings that he gave me. He was too young !I I hope you are coping well with this tragedy!He will be in our hearts and memories forever !

From: Ali Sabet - the nuclear scientist 

Oh, It’s a great loss. He was one of those brilliance intellectuals who was never recognized in North American society. I’ve always believed that, if he had been in Europe (France or the UK) he might have been celebrated as a major thinker and philosopher, in addition to his work in architecture.

I told him many times, seriously, that he should go there.

His knowledge was extraordinary—there was hardly a classic work in philosophy, sociology, literature, or music (alongside architecture and art) that he hadn’t read. With thousands of books he read, for me, he was a living library.

Please send my condolences to his family if you see them.