MIČO (JIM) MARKOVSKY

July 11, 1944 – February 24, 2024

We are saddened to share that Mičo Markovsky passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning of February 24, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Mičo was born in the village of Zhelevo, Macedonia, Greece, to parents Jordan and Arhonda (Giannou). In 1948, during the Greek civil war his father was killed. Mičo was separated from his family and evacuated from the region along with other refugee children. At the tender age of four, he ended up in Czechoslovakia, where he was raised in an orphanage. After completing school at the age of 16 he became a coal miner, his job until age 24. In 1968, he immigrated to Canada, sponsored by his sister Helen and brother-in-law Peter who had come from Greece a few years earlier, and was reunited with his younger brother Chris. He met Anne, and they married in 1971.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Anne (Tupurkas), his son Paul Markovsky (Rachael MacSween), daughter Linda (Hussein) Lalani, his dear grandchildren Charlotte, Seamus, Ilyan, Sahil, and Areez, his brother Chris (Noula) Markou, sister Fana (Christos) Aminda (in Greece), brother-in-law Peter Papaeliou, sisters-in-law Sophie, Mary (Steve) Papamarko, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, stepfather Christos, father and mother-in-law Elias and Fay (Kirou) Tupurkas, and his beloved sister Helen Papaeliou.

A dedicated family man, Mičo enjoyed the simple things in life, tending his garden, birdwatching, playing chess, photography, stamp collecting, and reading anything and everything historical. He retired to take on a new role of “first babysitter” for his grandchildren, a role he held very dear.

The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, and support staff who cared for him throughout his illness, including the compassionate staff at Hospice Vaughan.

A private celebration of life was held at Pine Hills Cemetery, Scarborough, Ontario.