Obituary for Dimitrios Papadopoulos
Dimitrios (Jim) Papadopoulos passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 18, 2020 after
being diagnosed with Leukemia in February of this year.
The cornerstone of a close and dedicated family, Dimitrios was greatly loved by all who knew him.
Dimitrios was born in Dafni, a small town in Corinth, Greece in 1938.
When he was young, he was sent away by his parents to the nearby town of Nemea to work and send money home in order to help support his family. He learned to survive at a very young age and the experience created a basis for his resilience and resourcefulness — traits that he carried with him throughout his whole life.
He arrived in Canada in 1963 by plane to be with his wife, Marina who arrived
earlier by boat. They moved into a house on Manning Avenue in Toronto where they started a family and a new life.
Together they raised three children in a loving and supportive home that focused on family. Working numerous jobs through the early years, he later channeled his entrepreneurial spirit and co-founded St Regis Windows; a window company in Toronto where he oversaw procurement and manufacturing throughout the 1980’s for various development projects throughout the GTA.
Over the next several decades while managing to provide for and support his family he focused all his energy on teaching those around him how to enjoy and celebrate life. Easter Sundays were legendary.
Ultimately moving to Woodbridge, he retired at the age of 68 for all of 12 months, only to return to work
where he continued to manage window orders and production until his 80th birthday.
He was a gentleman, kind and humble and generous to a fault. He remained current on world politics, was well read on world history and was always ready for a good debate. He lived without hatred or bitterness and challenged his family to live by his example. He maintained warm relationships around the world; Facetiming regularly with friends and family on four continents.
He took tremendous pride in his seven grandchildren and spoke of how they made him a millionaire seven times over. He lived for them and carefully guided their steps as they navigated through their lives and their careers and took interest in all of their pursuits.
Hand in hand and side by side he moved through the years with the love of his life, Marina and together they managed the challenges of an immigrant family; holding on to the values and richness of their Greek heritage, while equally embracing the greatness that is Canada and the opportunities that their new home brought to them and their family. Married for 57 years they set the example of a loving and caring relationship; fiercely loyal and committed to each other.
Dimitiros leaves behind his wife Marina (Siolas), children Angie (Robert) Andreas (Jodi), Maria (Sergio) and grandchildren Mario (Karine), Annie (David), Gabriel James, Zoe, Alexander, Giacomo, and William,
brothers, Pantelis (Argiro), Christoforos, George, sister Vasiliki, brother-in-law Tasos Siolas (Vasiliki) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He loved them all very much.
Visitations will take place at the Vescio Funeral Home Woodbridge Chapel (8101 Weston Rd. 905-850-3332) on Sunday August 23, 2020 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday August 24, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church (1 Brookhaven Dr., north of Trethewey Dr.). Interment to follow at Beechwood Cemetery (on Jane St., north of Steeles Ave.).
The family would like to thank everyone at Princess Margaret Hospital and requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Princess Margaret Hospital or JDRF Canada.
being diagnosed with Leukemia in February of this year.
The cornerstone of a close and dedicated family, Dimitrios was greatly loved by all who knew him.
Dimitrios was born in Dafni, a small town in Corinth, Greece in 1938.
When he was young, he was sent away by his parents to the nearby town of Nemea to work and send money home in order to help support his family. He learned to survive at a very young age and the experience created a basis for his resilience and resourcefulness — traits that he carried with him throughout his whole life.
He arrived in Canada in 1963 by plane to be with his wife, Marina who arrived
earlier by boat. They moved into a house on Manning Avenue in Toronto where they started a family and a new life.
Together they raised three children in a loving and supportive home that focused on family. Working numerous jobs through the early years, he later channeled his entrepreneurial spirit and co-founded St Regis Windows; a window company in Toronto where he oversaw procurement and manufacturing throughout the 1980’s for various development projects throughout the GTA.
Over the next several decades while managing to provide for and support his family he focused all his energy on teaching those around him how to enjoy and celebrate life. Easter Sundays were legendary.
Ultimately moving to Woodbridge, he retired at the age of 68 for all of 12 months, only to return to work
where he continued to manage window orders and production until his 80th birthday.
He was a gentleman, kind and humble and generous to a fault. He remained current on world politics, was well read on world history and was always ready for a good debate. He lived without hatred or bitterness and challenged his family to live by his example. He maintained warm relationships around the world; Facetiming regularly with friends and family on four continents.
He took tremendous pride in his seven grandchildren and spoke of how they made him a millionaire seven times over. He lived for them and carefully guided their steps as they navigated through their lives and their careers and took interest in all of their pursuits.
Hand in hand and side by side he moved through the years with the love of his life, Marina and together they managed the challenges of an immigrant family; holding on to the values and richness of their Greek heritage, while equally embracing the greatness that is Canada and the opportunities that their new home brought to them and their family. Married for 57 years they set the example of a loving and caring relationship; fiercely loyal and committed to each other.
Dimitiros leaves behind his wife Marina (Siolas), children Angie (Robert) Andreas (Jodi), Maria (Sergio) and grandchildren Mario (Karine), Annie (David), Gabriel James, Zoe, Alexander, Giacomo, and William,
brothers, Pantelis (Argiro), Christoforos, George, sister Vasiliki, brother-in-law Tasos Siolas (Vasiliki) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He loved them all very much.
Visitations will take place at the Vescio Funeral Home Woodbridge Chapel (8101 Weston Rd. 905-850-3332) on Sunday August 23, 2020 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday August 24, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church (1 Brookhaven Dr., north of Trethewey Dr.). Interment to follow at Beechwood Cemetery (on Jane St., north of Steeles Ave.).
The family would like to thank everyone at Princess Margaret Hospital and requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Princess Margaret Hospital or JDRF Canada.