Andreas Petrou Clerides

Pops passed away peacefully on the morning of July 31st, 2026, just a day or so after his 100th birthday on July 29th.

As he told us many times, he came to Canada with nothing and would leave with nothing, and he was as good as his word. Born in the hillside village of Agros, Cyprus, the youngest of six children, living off what this remote mountaintop village would provide, his early life was hard. This set the stage for his resilience.

His education was nothing short of first-rate. He learned math, English, Greek, Ancient Greek, Latin, and German — but most importantly, how to think. A chance encounter with a fellow at a pub in London led him to the Canadian Embassy, where his new acquaintance told the officials this lad would be good for Canada.

He landed in Montreal in 1952 and slowly made his way west. Like all good Greeks, Pops opened his first restaurant in 1958 on Robson & Thurlow. Business flourished, and he soon opened a second. He never sought the limelight, but his work and his contribution to the community ran deep. He loved the knowledge found in a good book, smart conversation, a glass or two of Chivas, dinner with his family, and traveling.

When seeking advice, Pops was never one to give you a yes or no answer. Rather, the solution was wrapped up in a story, like an Aesop's fable. The answer was there, but you had to think about it.

Mum and Pops were married for 65 years before her passing in 2022. He is survived by his two sons, John (Brandy) and Peter (Thalia); two grandchildren, Madeleine (Cole) and Darius; and two nieces, Elpy (Argo) and Chrystalla (Sean).

Funeral service will be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Thursday, August 20th at 9:00 a.m. Memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 30th at noon at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis Club.