Van Petroff

On October 20, 2010, at the age of 87, Van passed peacefully. He was born in Bitola, Macedonia and educated in Hotel, Restaurant and Bakery Management at Ryerson. Van was a member of the Canadian Army and served in World War II as a Lance Corporal. Van was a lifetime sports enthusiast, an avid golfer and member of the Bayview Golf and Country Club.

From 1951 to 1980 Van owned and operated an industrial and social catering company employing 400 staff who prepared meals for 40,000 people across the GTA.

Van was one of the founding members of St Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Church.

He spent over 20 successive years on the Board of Directors of Canadian Macedonian Place including 6 years as president. Van was also a founder of the Macedonian Open Golf Tournament, in existence for 68 years, which now is a fund raiser for Canadian Macedonian Place.

Van is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Mary (Lekushoff), his children Robert (Georgia), Diane (Stuart), predeceased by his daughter and son-in-law Susan (Nick) Vaiopoulos. Loving Dedo to Nicholas Petroff, Wendy (Craig) and Jimmy Vaiopoulos. Brother to Pat Markoff. He will be missed by his many nieces and nephews.

He was a lifetime member of King Soloman's Lodge #22 G.R.C. and Rameses Shrine Temple.

Friends may call on Friday, October 22, 2010 from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. at the R.S. Kane Funeral Home (6150 Yonge Street, at Goulding, south of Steeles). A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Church (76 Overlea Blvd). Interment to follow at Pine Hills Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Canadian Macedonian Place or Alzheimer Society.