John Papaconstantinou, 92, died Sunday September 22, 2024 at Belmont House in Toronto.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Cynthia, his children Chris and Sandra, his four grandchildren Allysa, Evan, Alexi and Marlee, and his great granddaughter Olivia.
John was born in Agia Paraskevi, Greece; and immigrated with his family (father Alex, mother Christina, sisters Pandora and Magda, brothers Peter and Pando) to Canada for a better life. They all settled in Toronto where he met his wife Cynthia and they were married July 17, 1955.
John and Cynthia opened the El Matador Steak House in North York which allowed them to provide an amazing life for their family. After working seven days a week for many years, John and Cynthia retired in their forties and used their early retirement years to travel the world. John was an accomplished business man and smart real estate investor, which allowed him and Cynthia to live comfortably and also provide for his children and grandchildren.
John was most proud of his family, especially his grandchildren. He helped raise them with Cynthia while their parents worked, and dedicated his time help develop them into the amazing people they are today. Dedo was always known for teaching them to play cards, grow vegetables in the garden, cook muffins and take them to the plaza where they could shop at the dollar store. It was always a good time when the grandkids visited Baba and Dedo.
He was very active at his church, All Saints Greek Orthodox Church on Bayview Avenue, and volunteered as an usher at Sunday service for many years. He had many friends and neighbours that he enjoyed socializing and traveling with. He loved to garden, bowl on Sundays with his league, go for walks with Cynthia and spend weekday mornings drinking coffee and socializing at the plaza with fellow Macedonians and Greeks.
John was a very charming and humorous man. His nickname at Belmont where he was highly regarded and known for his kindness was “Papa John”. He spent his days at Belmont sitting beside Cynthia, holding her hand.
John was a loyal, honest and generous man and will be greatly missed.
Almighty God and our Father, fount of time and eternity, who by Thy power has set a term of our life on earth, and through Thine only-begotten Son dost grant unto us, through resurrection, immortal life and a kingdom which cannot be moved, do Thou remember Thy servant John who hath fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection unto life eternal, we beseech Thee, hear and have mercy.