Panagiotis "Peter" Stathopoulos

Peter was born Panagiotis Stathopoulos on April 10, 1933 in Kapsia, Arcadia, Greece which is near the town of Tripoli. His parents were also both of Greek origin and were known for their excellent crops and cheese. Although farming was not in his heart, he helped his parents until he went off to complete his military service. He then went on to find greater challenges and exciting adventures in South America. He settled in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he opened a business and also dabbled in some acting since his store was next to a famous theatre. He had many actor-friends who encouraged his blossoming drama skills. He was also a very religious person and was quite involved with the small Greek community in Buenos Aires where several Orthodox clergymen tried to convince him to become a priest. But, Peter’s love for romance and relationships steered him away from becoming a man of the cloth. During his many flirtatious encounters, he met Ana Maria who became his wife and nine months later had Cristina, their daughter. When Cristina turned one, he left Argentina to find a better home for his family as the political situation there was unstable. He decided to immigrate to Canada and had to start his life all over again. He went to George Brown College where he studied English and then took a certificate program and became a Practical Nurse. He quickly found work as an OR nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Once established, he applied for his family to come to Canada and were eventually reunited. A few years later, he had his second daughter, Bessie. In Toronto, he was also very involved with the Greek community where he was the President of the Kapsioton Association for several years and organized dances and other special events. He later went on to work for the City of Toronto as a Project Superintendent at a senior’s residence complex and retired from there. He was given many excellent commendations including one from the Mayor of Toronto for his diligent work and dedication and he was very proud of that accomplishment. During retirement, Peter loved to take on stimulating construction projects as he really enjoyed building, renovating and repairing. He also loved to travel and went to places such as Greece, Argentina, California, and Cuba, among many others. He loved to meet new people and made friends instantly. He was well liked for his zest for life and his kindness and generosity. After a short battle with Cancer, he died peacefully in his home on March 24, 2018. He will undoubtedly be missed by many.