On Saturday, January 4, 2020, Spiros Sideris passed away peacefully in the presence of family at Cummer Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Fani Sideris, his three children, Helen (husband Fred), Sofia (husband Tom) and Kostas (wife Bonnie), his grandchildren Lila, John, Frances, Madeline and Stephen, his great grandchildren Alexander, Melanie, Lazo and William, and his siblings George, Helen, Theofanis and Jane (predeceased by his brother Pandalis).

Born in Antartiko, Florina, Greece, at the height of the Great Depression, Spiros worked tirelessly to support his family and to eventually bring his wife and two daughters to Canada.

To his wife, he was a provider and protector – a man who rose to every challenge. And whose love for her was expressed in the life he built for their family.

To his children, he was the archetype of fearlessness – a man who would grab a bee with his bare hands, despite being deathly allergic.

And to his grandchildren, he was Dedo – a man you could always count on. To pick you up from school. To crack an unexpected joke. Or to simply sit with you in silence.

Dedo had dementia in his later years, but his extraordinary spirit of optimism not only persisted, it intensified. Though challenging at times, it was both refreshing and inspiring to see someone find such light in circumstances many of us would deem dark. Whether a cool spring breeze, a sip of hot coffee, a spoonful of something sweet, or a familiar Greek song, Dedo taught us all to savour life’s simple pleasures. In fact, if you asked Spiros, “how are you?” he was never simply “good.” He was either “double good” or “triple good.”

And everytime his physical strength was tested, he defied the odds – surprising some of the sharpest medical minds who mistakenly counted him out. As he often proudly proclaimed, “I’m strong like horse.”

Strong is an understatement. Dedo was a force. And our memories of him will be just as unforgettable as he was.

Please join us in paying tribute to Spiros “Dedo” Sideris.

A visitation service will be held on Wednesday, January 8 between 2-4 and 6-8 at York Funeral Centre at 160 Beecroft Rd. Toronto. The funeral graveside service will follow on Thursday, January 9 at 11 a.m. at York Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Toronto would be greatly appreciated at https://alz.to/give