Peter passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at home on Saturday, January 13, 2024, days shy of his 81st birthday. He was born on January 19, 1943, to George and Sophia Batsos in a small village named Goura in Corinth, Greece. He battled prostate cancer for almost 5 years and fought until his last breath. While sick with cancer, he fiercely cared for his wife Bessie who died of brain cancer on August 17, 2020. He is loved and dearly missed by his two daughters Sophia and Nellie, and his son-in-law Paul. He was a loving grandfather (papou) to his precious grandchildren, Olivia, Nicholas, Peter, and Olympia. He will be greatly missed by his sister Giorgia and his nieces Sophia and Stasa. He will also be missed by his sister-in-law’s Eleni and Kiki and their families.

In 1969, Peter immigrated to Toronto, Canada on his own with only $5 in his pocket. While visiting a friend, he saw a young woman in the neighbour’s backyard and was captivated by her beauty. After a brief chaperoned courtship, he married his wife Bessie on July 4, 1971. They began their journey to build a beautiful family and shared 49 loving years together. He started his career as a waiter and then became a successful restaurant owner with his wife for many years. He was an entrepreneur and a great business man.

Peter loved to take care of his family, always making sure everyone had what they needed. Even while sick, he made sure his grandchildren Peter and Olympia were fed breakfast and got to school on time. He loved to spoil Nellie’s kids by sneaking them chocolates at the most inappropriate times and go against Sophie’s wishes and feed her dogs food from the table. He often could be heard singing along to Greek music and accusing his grandchildren Olivia and Niko of cheating at backgammon (tavli). He looked forward to Saturdays, when his friend George (Yogi) picked him up to meet the boys at the farm where they would play cards for hours. He was a great handy-man that could fix anything in the house and even renovated his basement all on his own. He had many hobbies including his vegetable garden, reading crime novels, cooking chicken and roasted potatoes, telling stories about his youth, and wearing his hat at the dinner table.

He gave the best hugs and the best advice. He was an amazing son, brother, husband, father, papou and friend. He will always be loved and live forever in our hearts. Baba…you are finally up in heaven with your love. May you be eternally happy together.

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