MICHAEL DOUSSIS

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MICHAEL (MIHALI) DOUSSIS With sadness the family announces the passing of Mihali on September 14, 2016 at the age of 87. Mihali was born in July 1929 in Athens, Greece to Victoria (Zambikos) and Dimitrios Doussis. Dad was an adventurer, rebellious, smart and driven. During the occupation from 1943 to 1944, young Mihali delivered bulletins with the resistance. He was an air cadet with the Royal Hellenic Air Force and a graduate of the Airplane and Engine Mechanic School in 1950 in Texas. My aunt Mary, a nurse, introduced her sister Giota (our mom) to Dad in an Athens hospital where he was a patient. Without even knowing her last name, Dad asked her if she would come to America with him. Within two weeks of meeting they boarded a ship and set sail for the US. Instead they were accepted into Canada and moved to Winnipeg. Dad excelled in math and science and was artistic and musical. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and was a sharp businessman. In the early 1960s he opened the Red Pony Drive-Inn Restaurant, one of the first of its kind. It was wildly successful, operated by Dad during the day and our mom by night. It was unique with a walk-up window and carhop service, and was open till 2:00 a.m. every night. There was no competition. Dad and Mom had realized their dreams. The best memory was our family trip in the 1970s. We flew to Germany, bought a VW camper at the Autohaus and drove it to Greece where we camped and travelled for two months. We spent joyous days at the Panopoulos homestead in the Amaliada countryside. We bonded with our relatives and basked in the remarkable beauty of our homeland. After 10 years of success, they sold the restaurant and pursued their dream of moving to the U.S. They first settled in Texas and moved to Sarasota, Florida soon after. This was a paradise for my parents with a beautiful Spanish-style home surrounded by gardenia bushes and lemon trees. My dad worked in the restaurant business there and went fishing after hours while my mom and sister combed the beaches for seashells. Eventually Mom and Dad moved back to Manitoba to be closer to family. They lived in St. Andrews for several years before relocating to Winnipeg. Mom and Dad loved their home; the house was surrounded with flowers and Dad kept his cars and garage spotless. Dad battled mental health stresses throughout his life; from work, to the illness of his youngest daughter, and his wife, who succumbed to Alzheimer's. Despite these struggles, his successes were amazing. Papou was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He loved watching them realize their education, careers and dreams. Dad and Mom cared for their daughter Jeanne when she was ill and helped Jeanne's daughter Andrea with school and activities. Dad loved his son-in-law and best friend, Ben, who helped them whenever they needed. After Mom passed away, Dad moved into Arlington Haus. Thank you to Pam, the staff and residents who helped make his last few years peaceful. Thank you to GD5 at the Health Sciences Centre for their compassion, making Dad feel comfortable in his last days. Papou will be missed by his daughter Victoria Doussis Schindle (Ben), his grandchildren Antonia Schindle, Mihali Schindle, Andrea Doussis and Vasilis Schindle, and nieces and nephew in Greece. He was predeceased by his daughter Demetra (Jeanne) Doussis, his wife Giota (Panopoulos) Doussis, his brother Leonidas Doussis and his parents. Funeral service will be held Friday, October 7, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Ave., officiated by Rev. Fr. Konstantinos Tsiolas. Interment to follow at Brookside Cemetery. Thank you to Voyage Funeral Home for arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 05, 2016