The sun has set, the last song sung, at the centre, Dimitrios Athanasoulas, completed his last performance. A full life, long lived, our dearest father is now with the angels. With profound sadness we announce his passing in Toronto, on Friday, March 7, 2025, age 91. Beloved father of his predeceased son George (Paula), and to Stephanos and Maria (Bill). Devoted παππού to Pavlo, Barbara, Liam and George. He will be missed exceptionally by his dear brother His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios, his siblings Xrisanthi (Fr. Pavlos), Eleftheria (Kyriakos) and Spiros (Xrisoula), his niece affectionately known as “daughter #2” Kallirroi, and all his many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends both here in Canada and in Greece with whom he has had significant and long lasting relationships with. Predeceased by his parents George and Anastasia, his siblings Fr. Konstantinos (Triantafillia), Evangelos (Aglaia), Stavros (Vaia), Aglaia (Fr. Evangelos), and his former wife and mother to his children, Eleni.

Born February 13, 1934 in Makrikampos, Arta, Greece, Dimitrios grew up in the most devastating of times, his youth marred by war and limited opportunities for a better life. Through perseverance and an abundant will to thrive, Dimitrios was a model student, attaining the highest achievements and awards, through an unmatched intelligence known well to all. His path saw him eventually leave for work in Germany alongside many diaspora Greeks, where he married Eleni and had his first son, George. While life was difficult, far from home and country, the family forged many friendships that would eventually carry forward to his newfound home Canada. Dimitrios raised his family of three children in Toronto and spent his life constructing a proudly Greek-Canadian existence, always maintaining his close ties to his homeland. His original trade was a carpenter following in his father’s footsteps. While he did aspire to become an engineer, he toiled in machine shops, while bettering his future by attending school and becoming an accountant. Many will remember him as “Jimmy” – his bookkeeping business assisting countless Greek entrepreneurs in the Greater Toronto Area. As a businessman, Dimitrios opened and maintained over the years, restaurants and coffee shops, eventually becoming a landlord when he relocated to Oshawa.

A story-teller, the first to raise a glass with family and friends, an accomplished singer at all events, and ready to debate anything from religion to politics to current events to history to the state of humanity, with a secret love for the stars and science, and futuristic ideas and ideals, Dimitrios was complicated and introspective, while outspoken, ready with opinions and every fact to back them up, rambunctious and always the life of the party! Deeply religious, family centered, and ambitious, he never stopped working, offering his business acumen to others, believing that the key to the best life is your works, engagement and the people alongside you. Dimitrios, often quoted the Bible, philosophers, politicians and most notably his mother who lived to 111 years old… “why should man become old?”. The answer was lost on Dimitrios as he felt he still had so much to do in this life regardless of his aged physical limitations.

Dimitrios profoundly cared about humanity – and those closest to him. His children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, godchildren, and all the following generations had a very special place in his heart. He valued higher education and proudly shared the academic, musical, and sports accomplishments of his three children and four grandchildren. He would attend concerts, sporting events, plays and graduations, family gatherings, always with a smile, knowing that his place in his heirs was apparent, solidified and lasting. He instilled perseverance, an unmatched will to live, to achieve, and to always seek solutions regardless of obstacles.

Ancient Greeks asked when a man died - “did he have passion?”, valuing the intensity with which one lived his life above all. The answer is yes, Dimitrios lived his life passionately, full of memories, meaning, and relationships.

Our hope is that the moments that our dear Dimitrios touched your lives will remain beyond a fleeting thought. He will remain in our hearts, deeply missed. May his memory be eternal. Αιωνία η μνήμη του.

Family and friends will gather at Elgin Mills Funeral Centre, 1591 Elgin Mills Rd E, Richmond Hill, for the visitation on Monday, March 10, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The Funeral Service will take place at 11:00 am at Saints Panteleimon, Anna & Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church, 11323 Warden Avenue, Markham. After the interment at Elgin Mills Cemetery, a memorial meal will be served in the Church’s lower hall.

In memory of Dimitrios, memorial contributions may be made to the Hellenic Home for the Aged, who we recognize to have taken tremendous care of Dimitrios in these last years of his life. https://hellenichome.org/donations-giving/ways-of-giving/