It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of our beloved father, Sotirios (Sam) Panoulias, at the age of 81 on October 17, 2026. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of hard work, perseverance, generosity, and unwavering devotion to family.

Born in the seaside town of Elia, Laconia, Greece, Sam was raised in a large family of six brothers and one sister. The values of his Greek upbringing stayed with him throughout his life: family, honest work, generosity, and the belief that determination could build a better future.

In 1967, Sam came to Canada with little more than a suitcase, a dream, and three treasured tools given to him by his sister Maria: a pair of scissors, a comb, and a razor blade. With those simple tools, he built a successful career as a barber and hairstylist. His talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and natural ability to connect with people led him to open two downtown salons and establishing another location at Main and Danforth, where he spent the remainder of his career.

In Canada, Sam met his beloved wife, Ekaterini, and together they built a beautiful life and family. He was a devoted husband and a proud and loving father to Tom (Madelaine), and Helen (Jim). To his children, he was more than a father. He was a trusted friend, a source of strength, and someone they could always count on.

His four grandchildren, Sam, Sophia, Dimitra, and Christian, brought him tremendous pride and joy.
Sam was a gentle and generous soul. He gave freely, expected nothing in return, and had a remarkable ability to make people from all walks of life feel welcomed and valued.

He also had his own unforgettable way of sharing life's lessons. “Make the Queen Cry,” he would say with a smile while tightly holding a $100 bill, his humorous reminder to save, value what you earned, and spend wisely. A few simple words, delivered with a smile, could say everything.

Above all, everything Sam worked for was for his family. His greatest legacy is not simply the business he built or the success he achieved, but the love he gave, the people he helped, the lives he touched, and the values he passed on to his children and grandchildren.

Dad, we love you. Thank you for your sacrifices, your strength, your guidance, and the beautiful life you built for our family. Your memory, values, and legacy will live in our hearts forever.

The family extends its heartfelt appreciation to Nancy Veloso and the staff at Scarborough General Hospital for the kindness, care, and compassion shown to Sam during his final weeks, allowing him to spend them in comfort and peace.

May his memory be eternal.