Anargyros Panagiotis Rouvalis

Anargyros was born in Nea Hora, Kastri Kynourias, in 1931, to Panagiotis and Maria Rouvalis. He served in the Greek Army and cultivated his olive groves over the years before marrying his beloved wife, Koula, and immigrating to Canada in 1963. Upon arrival to Canada he started to work as a dishwasher and short-hand cook at several eating establishments, including the Misty Moon, Gus’s Pub and Grill, the Westcliff Grocery and the Armview Restaurant. His entrepreneurial spirit was what first drove him to invest in real estate. After his first investment, his business savvy took over and made him highly successful. Throughout his life, he remained a proud Greek who loved Canada.

Anargyros was a wise man always putting God first in his daily life. His devout Orthodox faith that he had since he was a boy gave him foresight that guided him throughout his life. He was an avid church-goer and a neokoros during the liturgy and many other services.

He had no shortage of anecdotes that continue to resonate with us. Before anyone made a day-to-day or life decision, he would often say: “measure ten, cut once”. He had a heart that was pure, loving, kind and gentle. When he outstretched his arms to embrace you, you risked never being released. He would give you the shirt off his back if need be, and never ignored an outstretched hand or a call for help. He was strong both in character as well as in his lifelong values. His moral compass never veered, right was right and wrong was wrong, “that’s de facto”, he would exclaim so that there was no misunderstanding.

Anargyros was a voracious reader and once he put on his glasses and opened the book he was journeying to other places flipping through page after page until he was done. His books, particularly his religious books, were his treasure. He was also a storyteller extraordinaire with an ability to draw you into the time and place he was describing, not releasing you until he was done. Oftentimes he would get a twinkle in his eye and you could undoubtedly predict he was about to launch into a joke with the unfortunate ending of not being able to tell due to his uncontrollable infectious laugh.

He had a flair for fashion and always took pride in looking crisp and well-tailored, never forgetting his little black comb in the back of his pants pocket that he would unceremoniously whip out and quickly slick his hair back “just so”. We always knew he was just around the corner by the click, click, click of his komboloi (worry beads).

He loved hosting large family gatherings and providing an endless assortment of foods and drinks; he could certainly dance a mean “tsamiko.” He will be missed.

He is survived by the love of his life, Koula and his children Maria (Wendell) and Peter (Evangeline), brother-in-law Charles (Maria) Tsuluhas, many loving nephews, nieces, grand nieces, grand nephews, and Godchildren here and in other places globally.

He was predeceased by his parents Panagiotis and Maria, his sisters, Georgia (Vasilios) Spyrakis, Eleni (George) Koutsogiannis, his brother-in-law George Tsuluhas and sister-in-laws Georgia (Stavros) Panagakos and Matina (Vasilios) Tsiknias.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 22, 6:00-9:00 p.m. at JA Snows Funeral Home 339 Lacewood Drive. Funeral Service will be held Friday, June 23 at 1:00 p.m. at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church 1146 Purcell’s Cove Road. Father Panagiotis Maropoulos will be officiating. Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church.