EMMANUEL (MANOLI) ANDREW VLASSIE

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EMMANUEL (MANOLI) ANDREW VLASSIE August 15, 1919 - May 24, 2011 Emmanuel (Manoli) Vlassie passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2011 in Bucerias, Mexico. Born into the Winnipeg Greek community. As a young man, Manoli served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. After the war, his father, Andrew and two sons Manoli and Constantine (Gus) purchased The Chocolate Shop, one of the oldest restaurants on Portage Avenue. This family business, a Winnipeg institution, was renowned for gorgeous pastries baked on the second floor and was a regular hang out for many. Manoli and Gus worked The Chocolate Shop for several decades until Manoli decided it was time to embark on new adventures. Among his many adventures Manoli and his wife Mari travelled North America extensively in their taupe/mushroom' coloured Pontiac Parisienne convertible for a number of years. Cool .... Post road trips Mari and Manoli returned to their business acumen, owned and operated another Winnipeg favourite, a legion of Dairy Queens and this enabled them to travel extensively in winter time to exotic locations where they discovered their paradise, Bucerias in Mexico, which became their favourite spot. Manoli had many life interests. His passion for squash and tennis led to the honour of being a founding member of the Winnipeg Squash Club. His love of boating was extremely high on the agenda and he was known for his expertise' as a member of the Redboine boat club... loving to be out on the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. A very engaging and energetic man to all who knew him. He was entrepreneurial, adventurous and renowned for his many Winnipeg institutions. We know he is sitting beside his brother with a glass of the very best red wine and a favourite cuban cigar. Always the avid listener, his dry humour left any audience smiling. And when he spoke, well..... everybody listened. Predeceased by daughter Nicholette, Manoli is survived by his wife Mari, son Andrew and wife Sandra, son Alexis and partner Mark, nephew Andrew, nieces Tina, Cathy and Diane, and grandson Nicholas. His wife Mari's summation... We had a magical life together ! Memorial Saturday, May 28, 2011, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sandrina's Restaurant, Bucerias Mexico. In lieu of flowers, donations gratefully accepted for The Winnipeg Foundation - Nicholette Vlassie Memorial Fund.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 28, 2011