Ilias Plagakis was born March 27, 1934 in Gortsa, Greece. He passed away December 7, 2023. He was 89 years old.

Ilias is survived by his loving wife Heleni Plagakis, his children Nick (Morella) and Lisa (Brian), his four grand children Douglas, Elias, Thomas and Sophie, his sister Olga, and predeceased by his siblings Eleni, Stavros, Evanthea, Kondilo, John, Metaxia, Pota, his parents Nickolas and Eleni.

Ilias grew up with humble means in the villages of Gortsa and Tsitsina; he was a promising student with a flair for math, but couldn't finish his schooling because of the consequences of WW2 and the Greek Civil War. With no job opportunities in Greece, he looked to Canada where his sister Pota was waiting for him. Taking a 11-day ship ride across the Atlantic with $12 dollars in his pocket, he landed in Nova Scotia in 1961, and took a cargo train to Toronto. Ilias started his new chapter in Toronto by working hard usually 12 hour days as a busboy, dishwasher, waiter and manager, and along the way learning English and seeking a wife. Introduced to Helen, by Jim Rigakos, and with a 4 month courtship, they married. Ilias made a simple promise to Helen before getting married: I will always be a hardworking, responsible and a loving husband. Helen and Ilias had two children, he started his own restaurant business. He worked diligently until he retired in his sixties; he was a proud and accomplished immigrant who loved both Greece and Canada. He was so happy and excited when his grandchildren came, with new purpose, Helen and Ilias unselfishly brought up the grandchildren in the early years, nourishing them with love, food, books and fun. In the end, his mind was still sharp, but his body was weak- yet he always shared opinions on politics and imparted his wisdom. He had a complete life, but we miss him dearly. (Please see some photos of his life on this webpage)

Please join us for the visitation, funeral, burial and reception on December 14th from 11 am to 4 pm at York Cemetery Centre, 160 Beecroft Road, Toronto. Please see details below.