Kostas Zogopoulos

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> Passed away peacefully surrounded by family Friday, January 19, 2024 at Cottage Hospice in Vancouver, BC. He was predeceased by his parents, Christos and Christina, brother Mihali and sister Kiki. Kostas is survived by and will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 41 years, Vicki (Sirsiris) and son Christos (Mia), as well as his brother Dimitri (Soula), sister-in-law Katerina, brother-in-law Bill (Dana), and nieces and nephews in Canada and Greece. Kostas was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.

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> Kostas was born in Panetolio, Agrinion, Greece in 1957 and immigrated to Vancouver from Greece in 1982. He married the love of his life, Vicki in 1983 and became a proud father to Christos in 1992. Shortly after arriving to Canada, he started his career with SK Sanitary and worked his way up into the service manager position. Eventually, he started his own successful business K&E Equipment and Repair and brought on Mitchel Karpinka as a business partner. Kostas had a strong work ethic, honesty & driven salesman, and took pride in supporting his customers with exceptional service.

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> Kostas was a proud man who will be remembered for his deep love of his family, generous heart, boisterous laughter, and fondness of Greece. He will especially be remembered for always putting other’s needs before his own. His memory will forever be the hearts of those who had the honour of knowing and loving him.

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> A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 at 11:00 am at St. Nicholas & Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church located at 4541 Boundary Road, Vancouver, BC. Fr. Timoleon Prattas will be officiating. The entombment will take place following the service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank Dr. Luigi Salvino, the staff at VGH Palliative Care Unit and Cottage Hospice for their care and compassion.

Away

By James Whitcomb Riley

I cannot say, and I will not say

That he is dead. He is just away!

With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand

He has wandered into an unknown land,

And left us dreaming how very fair

It needs must be, since he lingers there.

And you, O you, who the wildest yearn

For the old-time step and the glad return,

Think of him faring on, as dear

In the love of There as the love of Here;

And loyal still, as he gave the blows

Of his warrior-strength to his country’s foes.

Mild and gentle, as he was brave,

When the sweetest love of his life he gave

To simple things: Where the violets grew

Blue as the eyes they were likened to,

The touches of his hands have strayed

As reverently as his lips have prayed:

When the little brown thrush that harshly chirred

Was dear to him as the mocking-bird;

And he pitied as much as a man in pain

A writhing honey-bee wet with rain.

Think of him still as the same, I say:

He is not dead, he is just away!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MountPleasantFuneral.com for the Zogopoulos family.