GEORGE SPYROPOULOS (published on October 22, 2008)
| GEORGE SPYROPOULOS With his family by his side, George Spyropoulos passed away peacefully at the Victoria General Hospital on October 20, 2008 at the age of 82. George will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 47 years, Maria, his children Terry (Leslie), Amalia (Dennis), Yvonne (David), John (Kim), and his grandchildren Christopher, Alexandra, Aaron, Ezra, Eleni, Rhea, and Chloe who were a tremendous source of joy during his retirement years. He is also survived by his sister Voula, and many family members across Canada and Greece. George was predeceased by his father Triantafillos, his mother Maria, his brothers Nontas and Chris, and his sister Eleftheria. George was born in Peristeri (Athens), Greece in 1926. As a young man, George took on any job he could to support his family. When he was 12, George left school and became a bread salesman. He would buy bread from the local bakery and take it to the city centre to sell. He would take all his earnings to his mother, who would let him keep a small amount to indulge in his passions. With this small allowance George would rent a bicycle for the day - a small pleasure that most of us take for granted today. When called upon by his country, George served in the Greek army, fulfilling his duty as all other young Greek men would do. In his early twenties, George pursued and excelled in another of his life’s passions - soccer. Playing for his local Peristeri team, George and his team performed at an exceptional level. He was very close to playing professionally, but the realities of supporting a family took precedence. Like many other young people of the era, George packed up, crossed the Atlantic and began a new life in a strange new land. With his new wife Maria by his side, George came to Montreal, where Terry and Amalia were born. They moved to Thompson, Manitoba, and there they added Yvonne and John to the family. George quickly made friends and became an active, caring and loved member of the local Greek community. He worked as a plumber and a steamfitter for many years until he retired in 1991. George was always a generous, giving person who took great pleasure in helping out friends and family. Rarely would George refuse a request for assistance and it gave him great joy to see people grow and succeed. He was responsible for helping to bring many friends and family members to Canada and supporting his extended family in Greece. When the children neared University age, George didn’t think twice. He moved the family to Winnipeg, and ensured that their new home was very close to a university to give them every opportunity possible to succeed. George took great pride in the accomplishments of all of his children. There are many people the family would like to thank – the staff at the Victoria General Hospital, Dr. Isaac, and the many close friends and relatives who have supported George and Maria throughout the years. Prayers to be held on Thursday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Avenue. Funeral service will be held on Friday, October 24 at 11:00 a.m. at St.Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. Interment will follow at Waverley Memorial Gardens, 1501 Waverley St. Immediately following the interment, friends and family are invited to a gathering at the Greek Church. If friends so desire, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. Thomson “In the ParK” 925-1120 Send expressions of sympathy to www.mem.com |
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