May 19, 1927 – April 17, 2022
Father, devoted husband, “papou”, chorister, angler, amateur chef, Archon (Maestor) of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, lawyer, tennis player and friend – affectionally known as “Bill” but also as “Vasili” and sometimes even “Liam” – passed away under the attentive care of the staff of the Guelph General Hospital.
Born and lived his life in Guelph, his parents emigrated to Canada from Sparta, Greece. Called to the Bar in 1951, he was one of the first Ontario lawyers of Hellenic descent. The Law Society of Ontario helped him obtain his employment as a young lawyer. Never forgetting this start to his career, he hired numerous students-at-law of diverse ethnic backgrounds before the concept of diversity in the workplace became in vogue. Loving his work as a solicitor, Bill happily practised law well into his late 80’s.
Bill also contributed, often in leadership roles, to a wide range of community, multi-ethnic, political, religious and fraternal organizations. Sundays were church days, requiring a road trip out-of-town to the nearest Orthodox Church, in Hamilton and Waterloo. Bill faithfully exercised his calling to serve the church, frequently staying very late after Liturgy to provide legal counsel to the church communities of St. Demetrios, Dormition of the Theotokos and Sts. Peter & Paul, while Helen occupied their three impatient and boisterous boys.
The centre of Bill’s life was family and friends. For six decades and until the end of his life, he resided in his beloved family home in Guelph’s St. George’s Park neighborhood. The door was always open at Parkholme and it was here that welcome visitors would experience Bill’s “one-of-a-kind” character. Entering the house, you might be recruited to sing the missing tenor part in a barbershop quartet, handed a ladle to assist with the gravy for the roast, served a post-tennis Harvey Wallbanger (for vitamin C) or pulled into a Greek circle dance at Pascha. Because “Prota O Theos” ruled the day, spontaneity was his approach to life as ultimately life was in God’s hands. It was thus not unusual for spur-of-the-moment travel to Greece, joining a tour to Listowel Ireland, packing the car for a road-trip to Florida or fishing in the Miramichi – in both New Brunswick and Southampton.
Predeceased by Helen – his beloved spouse of 57 years, his parents Paul and Elaine, and siblings Betty, Jack, Georgina and Marylou. Survived by his three sons Paul (Mary), Stephen and Peter (Ann), his grandchildren Elena, Peter and James, and many nephews and nieces. The family would like to thank the physicians, nurses and staff of the Guelph General Hospital for their compassionate care of Bill.
Aιώνια η μνήμη.
Friends may call at the GILCHRIST CHAPEL – McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home, One Delhi Street, Guelph on Monday, April 25, 2022, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 pm. A funeral service will take place on Tuesday, April 26 at 11:00 am at Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 527 Bridgeport Road East, Kitchener. Friends and family are kindly requested to wear masks at the Funeral Home and at the Church. Interment and reception to follow. Memorial contributions to the Guelph General Hospital, St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church (Guelph), Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church (Kitchener), Harmonize for Speech or the charity of your choice would be appreciated. We invite you to leave your memories and donations online at: www.gilchristchapel.com