We bid farewell to Constantine Palantzas, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and good man.
Constantine was born in Mavromati, Karditsa, Thessaly, Greece, the first issue of Thomas and Stavroula, and brother to Minas, Vassilis, Vassiliki, Vangelis, Dionysis, Spyros, and Alekos. He wed Mary Pafilis on September 7, 1958 and they begat Thomas on July 28, 1959. Constantine served as a police officer and office administrator in Athens. He and Mary decided to cast a stone behind them and emigrate to Canada. They arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia on the day of their son's second birthday and boarded a train for Toronto. They settled as new immigrants in the Pape and Riverdale area. A language barrier directed him to work in a foundry. He and Mary welcomed their second son Nickolas on February 12, 1963. An unfortunate industrial accident in 1974 resulted in the complete amputation of an arm. Through a miraculous operation at St. Michael's Hospital, his life was spared and his arm was re-attached. He was eternally thankful to the medical doctors, but also to the healer and Wonderworker St. Nektarios of Aegina, whom he felt had also intervened. His connection with religion and spirituality played a major part of his life thereafter. Following a short recovery, he returned to the workforce, first as an inspector in the foundry, and later with the W.S.I.B. as a mail clerk, until his retirement. He welcomed his four grandchildren Zoe, the twins Mariah and Angelica, and lastly Mia, with more love and dedication than one can imagine. He also very much enjoyed celebrating his Greek culture, as president of the Karditsa Society "O Karaiskakis" for 10 years, and also at numerous events through the Greek Community of Toronto. He always added, however, that his admiration and love for Canada never waned. Unfortunately, dementia took a toll on his wellbeing and the final few months saw a rapid decline in his health. Constantine and Mary celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in September. His final weeks and days were spent at North York General Hospital, with Mary, Thomas, and Nickolas by his bedside. His final rite and prayer was given by Father Panayiotis Carras, whom he had known and loved for almost 50 years.
We will miss you dearly, but you will continue to live in our memories until we meet again.