John Maroulis

Ioannis (John or Yanni) Maroulis Born in Phillippi, Kavala, Greece on June 3rd, 1938 to Stephanos and Eleni, passed away peacefully on April 12th, 2014 surrounded by family after battling a long illness.

John is survived by his wife Evangelia, daughters Eleni (Chris) Pantoleon and Maria, granddaughters Kalliopi and Evangelia. Sisters Afentoula Arnaoutoglou, Kyriakitsa (Phillipas) Zissis, Aglaitsa Konstandinidis, Athanasia (Nick) Liapis and Brother Chrisoveris (Donna) Maroulis. Preceded in death by his bother-in-laws Petros Arnaoutoglou and Neofitos Konstandinidis.

John met Eva when his friends Taki and Christina (Eva’s sister) invited him over for coffee. Eva served the coffee and definitely caught his eye. After a few dates the wedding day was set for June 27th, 1965. Their daughter Eleni was born Jan. 24th, 1967 and Maria quickly followed on Oct. 4th, 1969. John had his own business designing and producing mosaic floors. He always took pride in the quality of his work. The young couple immigrated to Canada with their two young children March 1971 for a better life. He worked in restaurants as a dishwasher and went to night school to learn English. He quickly worked his way up in the restaurant business. In 1973 John was part owner at White Tower Pizza in Vancouver. He then moved on to own Mykonos Restaurant in Squamish, BC in 1975. His most recent successful restaurant was Yiannis Taverna in Squamish before he retired at age 65.

John and Eva moved back to Vancouver in 2003. They enjoyed traveling and going on cruises. One of his goals was to drive across Canada, he and Eva accomplished this in 1997. In his younger years Yanni was involved with A.H.E.P.A. and most recently volunteered with the St. Nicholas & Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church in the Seniors programs, Kafenio and the Greek Summerfest.

John was a great cook. He took great pride in preparing lamb on a spit for Easter. There was always room for one more at the dinner table. He always wanted his home to be full of family and friends enjoying good food and drinks. There was always laughter and music at these memorable gatherings. He loved sharing a good joke and a drink and dancing a Zembekiko. His favorite song was “ To pedi me ta yialia”.

John was always the life of the party. He will be missed dearly by many.