Panagiotis (Peter) Apostolou

APOSTOLOU (Peter) Panagiotis,

Panagiotis (Peter) Apostolou passed away on Monday, February 19th, 2024, at Toronto Western Hospital surrounded by all his grandchildren and loved ones.  He was 86 years old.

Born on April 17th, 1937, in Alea, Argolidos, a small village up high in the mountains of the Peloponnese region of Greece, to parents Giorgios and Maritsa. 

Panagiotis, a loving husband, amazing father and proud grandfather is survived by his wife Maria of 60 years together, his children George, Kathy (Nick), Loui (Tamme), his 5 grandchildren, Spiro, Panayiota, Marina, Amalia and Eliana, his siblings Vasiliki (Spiros), Demetre and Aggeliki, his sister-in-law Venetia and many cousins, nephews, nieces, family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Giorgios and Maritsa, stepmother Marigoula, and his siblings Demetre, Vasilios and Anastasia.  Panagiotis lost his dear mother Maritsa when he was only 3 years old.

Panagiotis left his small quaint village in Greece and moved to Germany in 1961 in search for work.  He then travelled to Toronto, Canada in 1963 where he met Maria in 1964 and together created a happy, loving family and life.

Panagiotis, a very hard working, wise for his age, young man came to Canada with nothing and through his hard work, sacrifices, and determination was able to accomplish a great life for him and his family.  He was never one to complain and worked in factories, as a painter and took on many hard labor jobs until finally landing a decades long job working for the City of Toronto Public Works and Recreation Department in road and park maintenance.  All those years earning employee awards for his commitment and not taking any sick days.  

From a young age Panagiotis was very wise and mature which led the people closest to him to give him the affectionate nickname ‘Γέρο’ (Yéro-meaning ‘old man’). Those who knew him also were fortunate enough to know his other side which was full of jokes and laughter, and he always enjoyed a good prank.

Panagiotis always made time for the people and things most important to him.  He enjoyed spending lots of time with his wife, children and especially his grandchildren who were his pride and joy.  Prior to falling ill, he looked forward to and enjoyed his daily gatherings with his friends at Tim Hortons and walking around the neighborhood, seeing his friends and family who all lived within blocks of each other. He loved gardening and was very good at it, so much so that people walking by his home would stop to take pictures of his beautiful flowers which included marigolds, chrysanthemums, poppies, tulips just to name a few.  He spent lots of time tending to his vegetable garden and admiring his many tomato plants. He enjoyed the challenges of building and repairing things. Into his late 70’s and early 80’s he was still building fences, demolishing, and helping renovate and was even found climbing ladders and repairing roofs countless times without his family knowing.

Although Panagiotis preferred and loved his wife Maria’s delicious homecooked Greek food and sweets, he also very much enjoyed donuts, California veal sandwiches, McDonald’s Big Macs and fries, pizza, take out Chinese food and sweets.  He truly had a childish, sweet side to him that those closest to him were fortunate to share with him. He loved Greek music and was a huge fan of the κλαρίνο (clarinet), τσάμικο (tsamiko-a Greek dance) and had his own signature dance moves his family and friends loved but couldn’t perfect themselves.

Panagiotis although throughout his life was already a true inspiration to many, became a true-life hero and warrior in his 80’s.  He was first diagnosed with Parkinsons and cancer in 2019. Soon after that he had to have a surgery that some doctors thought wasn’t an option for someone his age.  He shocked them with his speedy recovery from that surgery and the great outcome of it. Fortunately, he was able to manage his Parkinsons symptoms which never became debilitating, but the cancer and its immunotherapy and chemotherapy treatments were things he struggled with till the end.  Throughout it all Panagiotis showed so much strength, calm, determination, courage and most importantly the want and love to keep living life to its fullest.  He was called a true Greek Warrior and was loved and admired by many doctors and nurses that had treated him.  His “Thank you very much”, spoken in his heavy Greek accent and his infectious smile during even his weakest and hardest moments always put huge smiles and glossy eyes on nurses and doctors’ faces.  When asked if he wished to continue treatments and or try new ones to live longer, his words were “Ποιος δεν θελει να ζήσει!” (Who does not want to live?)…sometimes with a few curse words thrown in there, because for him, no matter what life threw at him life was always worth fighting and living for….which he did till the very end. 

Panagiotis, was a true gentleman and warrior in every sense of the word. To say he was respected, loved, and adored by everyone who knew him would be an understatement.  He brought wisdom, compassion, and love to every life he touched.  His presence will be greatly missed, but the lessons he left behind will forever live on in his family and friends.  He was truly an inspiration and role model to all.  This loss is immeasurable to the family, but what he left behind is a lifetime of happy memories to get them though until they meet again.

In lieu of flowers donations in Panagiotis name can be made to the Cancer Society in Panagiotis memory: