ATHANASIOS ALEXIOU

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ATHANASIOS ALEXIOU With deep sadness, we announce that Athanasios Alexiou passed away peacefully and surrounded by family at the Grace Hospital on December 18, 2000 at the age of 76, after a courageous battle with cancer. Thanasi will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of 56 years, Anna, his sons George (Bente) of Denmark and Dimitrios (Marilyn) of Winnipeg, his grandchildren Athanasia (Marcos), Dimitrios, Thanasi (Sofie), Jimmy, Thanasi and Georgina, great-grandson Yannis, soon expected great-granddaughter Anna, his seven sisters Athina, Penelope, Sotiria, Katerina, Vassiliki, Maria and Panayiota and many extended family members and good friends in Canada, Greece, the United States and Egypt. He was predeceased by his daughter Alexandra in 1999 and by his brothers Elias and Kostas. Thanasi was an extremely strong, honourable and loving person and bravely did his best to overcome many difficult trials in his lifetime, always putting the needs of others before his own. Growing up in a large family in the mountain village of Tristeno, Greece, he enlisted in the British Army at the young age of 18 and served for five and one half years in Egypt during the Second World War. He was awarded the African Astir medal for bravery. The postwar years in Greece were very challenging and Thanasi worked hard for many years as a chauffeur and taxi driver before retiring and eventually immigrating to Canada in 1996 to be closer to family. He always took great interest and pride in everything he did, whether pampering his many cars over the years, nurturing many a garden, or dancing to his favourite Greek music. This interest and pride was paramount with his family and he was always happy to listen to a problem, play with a child, entertain a friend, or just be there, any hour of the day or night. He was one of those wise people where, looking back, their advice always turns out to have been right. Thanasi was a man who lived his faith and traditions every day. We will cherish the many stories that he loved to tell over a glass of homemade wine and are so grateful for the treasure of values and strengths that he passed on to his children and grandchildren. May God comfort and keep him in peace, until we meet again. We would like to thank Dr. Mihalcioiu, Dr. Chowdhury, Dr. Rehal, Dr. Anastasiades, Dr. Mulder and all the staff and volunteers at 3 West in the Grace Hospital and at CancerCare Manitoba. Prayers will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 21, at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 22 at St. Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Ave., with Father Dimitrios Gianniou officiating. Interment will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens with a reception to follow at St. Dimitrios Church. In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully accepted by CancerCare Manitoba, the Grace Hospital, or St. Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 20, 2000