Voumvakis, Michael “Mike” November 15, 1924 – November 13, 2023.

It is with deep sorrow we announce that Mike passed away peacefully in the late afternoon at Hospice Vaughan after a short illness. Mike leaves behind his devoted wife Koula who never left his side during his illness of the last 9 months and whom was with him at the time of his death. Survived by his children, Sophia and George (their spouses Dennis and Kerri), grandchildren Diana (Eric), Kayla, (Kosta), Michael (Rochelle) and Brendon (Brittany) and his sister Erismia.

Born in the mountainous village of Kapsala in Evia, Greece to a farming family. Educated in a one room schoolhouse, he was accepted into the Polytechnic to study engineering. The Greek Civil war of 1949 ended his education abruptly, an outcome he regretted. He knew the vision of life that he wanted was not feasible in Greece at the time and as a result he emigrated to Canada in the early 1950s seeking a better life for himself and for the family he one day wanted to have.

Mike loved Canada and all it offered and represented. He loved the order, the politeness and the opportunities for prosperity. He worked hard to make his dreams become a reality. Upon arrival in Canada he initially worked as a lumberjack in Timmins, Ontario and then in his learned traded as a tailor in Ottawa and then Toronto. During the evening he took on a secondary position of doing piece work for major retailors to earn extra money but where he could ply this trade from his home to be with his growing family. He started a successful business, the Fish Boy and had partnerships in other businesses to help others reach their dreams also.

During his first years in Canada he continued to think of a beautiful woman from a nearby village, Koula from Styra. He asked for her hand in marriage and shortly thereafter they were married and had two children. Mike now had a nuclear family which was so important to him. Mike was a devouted husband to Koula.
Despite money being tight in his early years, Mike was determined his family would enjoy culture, leisure and family. He ensured his family enjoyed both simple pleasures of camping and picnics at Lake Simcoe, fishing and ice skating in the backyard, to piano lessons for Sophia, and hockey lessons for George. Mike loved to dance and in watching old family movies one can always see him dancing at every opportunity.

Higher learning was a privilege that Mike regretted not attaining. As such, education was a non-negotiable for his children, resulting in his children being all university educated to ensure they had the knowledge that comes from higher learning in their toolkit.

Mike leaves this world knowing he achieved many of his goals, a family that has grown over the years, educated children and grandchildren, and a loving marriage of 68 years with his beautiful and devoted Koula by his side throughout his life’s journey and a life lived on his terms.

Now is the time for Mike to rest and we know he will be dancing in heaven.
Our heartfelt thanks to Chartwell Rouge and Hospice Vaughan for their outstanding care.
Donations to Hospice Vaughan would be greatly appreciated. 'Make a Donation' at the bottom of this page will take you to their homepage.

Funeral services will be held at Pine Hills Cemetery and Funeral Centre, 625 Birchmount Road, Toronto, Ontario, M4K 1R1. Visitation Sunday, November 19, 2023, from 2 to 4 PM. Service, and internment on Monday, November 20, 2023 at 11:00 am, reception to follow.