ATHANASIOS (TOM) ALEVIZOS

Condolences & Memories (44 entries)

• "Death changes everything! Time changes nothing..... I still miss the sound of your voice, the stories of your life and just being in your presence. So NO, time changes nothing, I miss you as much today as I did the day you died. I just miss you!" - Posted by: Roula Alevizos (Wife) on: Jun 27, 2014

• Best auto teacher I had for my high school experience....no one can ever replace him...will be missed dearly!! - Posted by: Devon (ex-student) on: Nov 30, 2013

• I was fortunate to work with Tom when we were both upstarts at REC. He had his own inimitable way of kidding around about the job, students, life, all that stuff, a gentle kind of sarcasm. He stands out because you knew immediately that this was a man with a heart of gold. I was fortunate to have a chance encounter with Tom a month or two before his death. While I'm blank about when/where, it was heart-warming to see him again, and to walk away from our brief exchange with a sense of gratitude for having quality people like Tom there in my personal history who remind me of the fundamental goodness of the human heart. May the ember of his love burn soft but strong as you regroup without him. Tim Froese - Posted by: Tim Froese (former REC colleague (1999-2002)) on: Sep 11, 2013

• Happy birthday honey. I miss you soo soo much. I love you now and forever. - Posted by: Roula (Wife) on: Jul 22, 2013

• Tom was my friend, first my condolences to the family I was not able to attend the services for Tom we were out of town for a family wedding I wanted to see Tom for the last time. I met Tom through jack Salvaggio right from the beginning I thought Tom was a nice guy I cut Tom's hair went on trip and we used to ride our motorcycles together I will miss you my friend till we meet again I. can still see you enjoying your coffee and smoking your cigar. ride on buddy. - Posted by: Frank & Melissa Murgolo (Friend ) on: Jul 12, 2013

• I was shocked and saddened to hear of tom's passing, John called me the evening of tom's death, Tom and John were a day away from flying to ny and we were all renting Harleys and were going to tour around the mountains of ny, conn. and mass. When John told me how much Tom was looking foward to our trip and how he had just got a new riding jacket, I was in tears,,,,,, God bless you Tom,, and my sincere condolences to the entire Alevizos family, he will be missed - Posted by: Raymond Racioppo (Friend of John Alevizos) on: Jul 10, 2013

• Dearest Roula, Dino and Eleni Our deepest condolences for your loss. It's such a tragedy to lose Tom at such a young age. We were completely desolate with grief when we heard the news. Words cannot express our sadness and we hope you are blessed with the comfort and love from family and friends to help you through this difficult time. He has now joined his father Kosta, Uncle Jimmy and our father Vasili who also was taken from us at a young age. The brothers are all there waiting like angels for when the time comes for all of us to join them. At least Tom had them all there for him. Now another Alevizos has joined the call of the angels. God Bless him and may he watch over you always and forever. God bless you all. - Posted by: Connie and Denise Alevizos (Cousins) on: Jul 09, 2013

• Hey Tom, its been a while since I last see you, I will always remember you, we went to Greek school together, Sunday school, we both graduated at Tec- Voc high school, take care Buddy, God bless you and your family. - Posted by: Nick Limneos (Friend) on: Jul 06, 2013

• My deepest condolences to the entire Alevizos family. Tom was my godfather and was always a larger-than-life figure to me. I will best remember him for always being a no-nonsense, straight shooter who would tell it like it is. It was always a refreshing experience being around him. One of my favorite stories to share about him is how he helped "rescue" my little sister when her car broke down on the perimeter highway outside of Wpg. After waking him up in the early hours of the morning, Tom went out there, picked her up, brought the car to the garage, then proceeded to scold her on the importance of proper car maintenance! My other fondest memory of Tom was at my wedding. His conversation with one of my bartenders was the stuff of legends. After being told a certain drink wasn't available, Tom politely pulled the bartender aside and was able to "convince" him that not only would Tom get his drink, but that for the rest of the night that bartender would personally deliver the drink to him for the rest of the night. My prayers & thoughts are with Roula, Dino and Elleni during this difficult time. From my family to yours, our deepest condolences. - Posted by: John Tsentouros (God-son) on: Jul 06, 2013

• Our hearts are filled with sadness. We recall great times with Tom and Rula - and we know how much Tom loved and valued his family and friends. This kind of guy only comes along once in a lifetime. Goodbye dear friend. - Posted by: Louis and Sharon Cote (friends/co-worker at Ashern Central) on: Jul 05, 2013

• To the love of my life: I miss you dearly, but just looking at our beautiful children (Dino and Elleni) gives me strength. I see so much of you in both of them and through them you will live on in our lives and in our hearts. You will never be forgotten. You were and are truly loved by all who knew you. I love now and forever. Till we meet again my love. - Posted by: Roula (Wife) on: Jul 05, 2013

• Thank you to everyone for your kind words and thoughts during this very difficult time. These tributes are a true testament to how great our dad really is. We appreciate everyone's countless support. We love you Dad. You would always think of us first and were willing to do whatever we needed. We know you will continue to care and watch over us. - Posted by: Dino and Elleni (Son and Daughter) on: Jul 05, 2013

• Thinking of you at this very difficult time. I have taught with Tom for his entire duration at REC. All I can say is he was a terrific guy and he will be dearly missed by our staff. Take care all of you as Tom thought very highly of his family life. - Posted by: Will Habing (Colleague at REC) on: Jul 04, 2013

• Dino and family, our deepest condolences at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. - Posted by: John and Brennan Pearson (Colleagues of Dino) on: Jul 04, 2013

• SHOCKING NEWS AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE. I SPOKE TO TOM TWO WEEKS AGO AND GAVE ME THE WEBSITE FOR YOUR DAILY SPECIALS AT WOODS BISTROW. WILL ALWYS REMEMBER ROULA THE PHONE CALL I RECEIVED FROM YOU WHEN I LOST MY HUSBAND OF A HEART ATTACK TWO YEARS AGO AND HOW COMPASSIONATE YOUR WHOLE FAMILY WAS TO ME AND MY FAMILY AT THAT VERY SAD TIME. NEVER WOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO SEND MY CONDOLENCES AT THIS TIME TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. MANY MEMORIES, RETIREMENT, BIRTHDAY FUNCTIONS AT COSMOS. HEARTFUL SYMPATHY BENA SLY AND FAMILY - Posted by: BENA SLY AND FAMILY (GOOD FRIEND) on: Jul 04, 2013

• The automotive shops at River East will never be the same. Over several years Tom and his team of mechanics took care of me and my many car problems. When the little blue 1979 Chevette finally sputtered its last, I donated it to the car shop for student use. As a thank you, I was presented with the last half of the car name - "vette", which I keep in a place of honour. I will always remember Tommy with fondness and respect. My deepest sympathies and sincere prayers for the family. - Posted by: Lynne Strome (friend from River East Collegiate) on: Jul 04, 2013

• Mr. Alevizos we didnt really get the time to get to know you and we wish that we did because you are such an amazing person and teacher as well, this was very sad news to hear for not only your students and colleagues at River East Collegiate but most of all your family. We wanted to let you know that you will be missed by all of R.E.C. God bless you and your family. - Posted by: Heather & Kimberly (students that admired him at R.E.C) on: Jul 04, 2013

• So sorry to hear of Tom's passing. We send our deepest condolences to you and your family. Thoughts and prayers are with you. - Posted by: Dawn Martinson and Julie Papadopoulos (friend of Roula's) on: Jul 04, 2013

• I knew Tom Alevizos simply as "Mr. A". I was a Power Mech student of his at REC from 2007-2010. He was a very friendly man, always helping his students with their vehicles problems. He would occasionally stay through his own lunch break to allow us to finish what we were working on, as we were not allowed to remain in the auto shop unsupervised. We all knew how he liked his coffee, as a coffee was about the going rate for a bribe to let us take on some absurd project in his shop. Coffee bribes were somewhat of a running joke, as Mr. A was always willing to help out, no matter how ridiculous our projects were. He had an excellent, very dry sense of humor. I will always remember him almost making us cry as he asked another student <very sarcastically> about how his car ended up the way it was. We always used to tease him about being a member of some sort of Greek Organized Crime ring, because he drove a blue Corvette and when he sat behind his desk and told us how things were going to go that day - with his slight accent that always got more prevalent as we got on his nerves - it always sort of reminded us of the movie "The Godfather". He was very charismatic. He could never remember my name correctly, so he called me "McGraf", a nickname my friends still call me to this day. It never bothered me. He always had trouble with our names, but he always knew exactly who we were and what we were good at. He gave me guidance on my vehicle projects, and helped me fix up my first car - a 1986 Chevy Blazer, decorated like a fire rescue vehicle. I drove that vehicle to work and back today. It's still on the road, over 4 years and many thousand miles after it first came to the REC shop. Mr. A always encouraged us to learn how to do things on our own. I recall it taking me an entire day to figure out how to assemble the rear brakes on somebody's van, that had completely fallen apart when we opened them up. Mr. A had handed me a bag full of new springs and clips and stuff, with a faded half-Chinese set of instructions, and told me to have it done before lunch. He was great like that, turning us loose enough to get us to think, but keeping an eye on us enough that we stayed on track. It was largely Mr. A's "you can figure it out if you go try" attitude that lead me to take an interest in welding, and finally buy some serious equipment to that effect last year. I just returned from a camping trip where we towed a camper behind my old truck (that Mr. A helped get running), which was equipped with a trailer hitch I fabricated myself. To top it off, the group of guys I went on the trip with had 4 other students from Mr. A's 2010 power mech class. Mr. A will never be forgotten. My condolences to his family for their loss. He was truly a great guy. - Posted by: Jason "McGraf" Margraf (Student) on: Jul 04, 2013

• so sorry to hear about your loss. Our deepest sympathy go out to you Roula and your family. May God give you the strength to get through this time of sorrow. - Posted by: sharon tummillo (friend) on: Jul 03, 2013

• Wow, I am shocked to hear of this tradgedy! Tom was a great man with a huge heart! I had the pleasure to help him with his automotive endeavours in the past. We had some great talks about cars, friends and family, I can say this with great pride that Tom was a good man! My condolences go out to his family, RIP my friend!! - Posted by: Mike Rodrigues (Friend) on: Jul 03, 2013

• Roula and family - our thoughts are with you at this sad time. Tom was so full of life and his memories will live on with everyone whose life he touched. - Posted by: Randy & Shelley Bjornson, Ashern, MB (co-worker/friend) on: Jul 03, 2013

• Roula and family - my heartfelt condolences on the sudden passing of Tom. Will always remember his bold, friendly and for ever helpful personality. Thoughts and prayers are with you at this time - Posted by: Janice Schwartz (Former Colleague) on: Jul 03, 2013

• I had the pleasure of knowing Tom as an instructor during my years at REC and also personally as a friend in years since. Tom was an excellent teacher and always fun to be around. I will miss his help, jokes and company. May I extend my sincerest condolences to the Alevizos family. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Evan Csengody (Former Student) on: Jul 03, 2013

• We are deeply saddened by the loss of a truly great friend. I have had the pleasure of knowing Tom for many years and he will always be remembered as a wonderful, kindhearted man who was willing to lend a helping hand whenever one was needed. He will be undoubtedly missed and we are sending our sincere condolences to his family. - Posted by: Serguei Moroz and family. (Friend) on: Jul 03, 2013

• It was a true pleasure to know you Tom and have you in our lives. We miss your visits on the deck and we miss your funny stories. Not so much the story content but the story teller. It is such a loss to know you're not here with us. - Posted by: George, Sesa, Nico and Anabella (Friends) on: Jul 03, 2013

• Mr. Alevizos was an amazing teacher! He was so nice to me in class and he was an awesome guy to joke around with. I was in his power mec class since grade 10 and now I'm graduated. He always bugged me for a coffee Every time he seen me. I will miss him so much! Let him rest in peace and prayers go out to all of the family. Stay strong everyone! He will be truly missed - Posted by: Nic Cianflone (Student at REC) on: Jul 03, 2013

• Our hearts are full of sorrow for your tremendous loss! A truly great loss for all who knew Tom! He was a wonderful person, always with a smile and words of advice and great wisdom at any moment. To the entire family, our deepest sympathy, you are all in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. Tom will be forever missed, forever treasured, loved always and forgotten never!!! - Posted by: Gianni Nevieri and family (Carlo, Ana Maria, Nadia and Michael) (Friends of the family) on: Jul 03, 2013

• Mr. Alevizos was one of my favourite teachers during my 3 years at RE. Thoughts and prayers with his friends and family. - Posted by: Jordan Vertone (Student ) on: Jul 03, 2013

• I had the privilege of having Mr. Alevizos throughout high school. My condolences to his friends and family. - Posted by: Gage Meawasige (Past Student) on: Jul 03, 2013

• Hello, I have had the pleasure of getting to know Mr. Alevizos since grade 10. I am now in grade 12. He was the most wonderful power mechanics teacher. He was always so patient and incredibly kind. All of your students miss you so much. I hope that everything is going well up there Mr. A. And to your family, my thoughts and prayers are with you and I will be attending the funeral. I am truly sorry about your loss. God bless you, and your entire family. - Posted by: Chelsey Bychuk (Student that he taught at REC) on: Jul 03, 2013

• Tom, Look down on us from heaven Keep us free from hurt and pain, You'll always be within my heart Until we meet again...... Roula, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. - Posted by: Tom Heistovski (Friend) on: Jul 03, 2013

• It's been MANY years since I've seen Tom, but we grew up in the same neighbourhood. I'm so saddened to hear of his untimely passing. Condolences to his family. - Posted by: Allison Cooney (Neighbour) on: Jul 03, 2013

• We would like to offer our condolences to the Alevizos family. - Posted by: Terry Lakusta (Vain Hair and Body) (Friend of John and family) on: Jul 03, 2013

• Thanasis, his mom Maria, Cousins, Aunts and uncles in Greece, myself and my daughter Alieshia wish to express our sincere condolences on the passing of Tom, we loved him and he will be truly missed... Kathy - Posted by: Thanasis Kafkias and Kathleen Hoffman (cousin and his wife) on: Jul 03, 2013

• My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I worked with Tom at REC for the past 14 years. I will miss our visits to each others classrooms to chat about cars, computers, and photography among other things. I benefited many times from his expertise and wide range of knowledge - especially when it came to diagnosing problems with my junky old cars! We as a staff and particularly the Tech Department had some wonderful functions at Cosmos and year-end department lunches by the pool in the Alevizos' back yard. Thank you. Tom will be sorely missed by staff and students alike. God bless you and keep you in his loving embrace. Take care. - Posted by: Richard Loewen (Colleague & Friend) on: Jul 03, 2013

• I had the pleasure of working with Tom. His passion for life and loved ones was admirable. He was a man of strong conviction and would always take a stand for what he believed. We shared a lot of laughs and I will surely miss him. Heartfelt wishes to his beautiful family. - Posted by: Gordon Stevens (Colleague) on: Jul 03, 2013

• Dino, my thoughts and prayers to you and your family. It is easy to see your father must have been a wonderful man who raised a wonderful family. - Posted by: Linda Cymbalisty (Dino's co-worker) on: Jul 03, 2013

• Sincere condolences to Roula, Dino, Elleni and family. Tom was a true friend. I will miss his friendship, motorcycle rides and jokes. I hope you are riding a Harley in Heaven, my friend! Jack - Posted by: Jack salvaggio (friend) on: Jul 03, 2013

• Tom was truly one of the most kind people I have ever met. He was passionate about what he believed in, and I know his family was always first and foremost in his heart. Grateful to have met you Tom, and thanks for always fighting the good fight. - Posted by: Nicole Bouchard () on: Jul 03, 2013

• Roula, Dino and Elleni, I am so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you. - Posted by: Karen Bowman (friend and former employee at Cosmos) on: Jul 03, 2013

• We wish to express our condolences on the passing of your husband, son, brother and father. His legacy is certainly alive in his children, and we know Dino is and will continue to make his family proud. - Posted by: The Shindleman Family (Dino's co-workers) on: Jul 03, 2013

• To the Alevizos Family, Tom was a regualar customer of ours. He was such a nice and funny man. He would always try to convince us to go to Charleswood to try out Cosmo's Restaurant. I will never forget him teaching us how to make homemade wasp-catchers out of pop bottles wheN I complained about sitting on patios. Please accept our condolences. Computer Avenue - St. Vital - Posted by: Computer Avenue Staff () on: Jul 03, 2013

• My Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family on the loss of a very special man. I have worked with Tom for 14 years at River East Collegiate. He was a kind, gentle "Teddy Bear". He had a heart of gold and was always there to help anyone on staff when they had problems with their vehicles (including me). He loved coming by my desk to see if there were treats in my candy dish and there usually was. We as a staff, but especially the students at REC will miss a truly wonderful friend and teacher.... God Bless you all. - Posted by: Dianne Gawalko (Colleague) on: Jul 03, 2013