Steve John Bitidis

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Steve John Bitidis, 88, who, surrounded by loving family, left this earthly life early on the morning of November 15. He is survived by his devoted wife, Gloria (née Maizis) of 56 years, and his children, Denise, Via (Michael), and Jonathan (Daron). He is forever cherished and remembered as Papou by his four grandchildren, Zeta, Evan, Theo, and Stefan. He is greatly missed by his siblings Taki, Gitsa (Thomas), and George back in Greece, his “Canadian siblings,” first-cousins Peter (Winnie), Ricki (Spiro), and Joy (Chris), and his sisters-in-law Monika (Herc) and Joan (George) as well as more cousins, nieces, nephews, and godchildren, both here and in Greece, too numerous to mention.

Steve was born Stergios Ioannis Bititsios in the pastoral mountain village of Nympheon, Greece in 1935. He was the eldest of his siblings and at the age of 21, he joined his Aunt and Uncle in Toronto, arriving days before Christmas in 1956. Steve began working at his godfather’s restaurant soon after he arrived and in 1961 he was hired as a waiter at the Tri-Bell Four Winds Club. A dapper gentleman, devilishly handsome, and a hard worker, he was soon promoted to Head Waiter, then Maitre d’, and then Food and Beverage Manager. In 1975, he was hired as the Catering Manager at the Bristol Place Hotel, where he remained until 1980 when he founded his own company, Denvia Catering, which he owned and operated until his retirement.

As the family patriarch, Steve was stern but soft, loving and generous; he would always be ready to lend a hand -- if a blizzard hit, his snowblower was running until the neighbourhood was clear. He was an avid do-it-yourselfer maintaining and improving the house on his time off with “small” projects like finishing an unfinished basement or building a shed nicer than most small cottages. A die-hard Toronto sports fan, he enjoyed watching the Maple Leafs and the Jays, and recently grew fond of watching the Raptors. When work would permit, he took his family on long summer vacations back to his ancestral home in Greece, and in retirement, he enjoyed his winters in Florida. Family was his greatest pleasure and his absolute pride. Never able to attend university himself, he stressed the importance of education to his children and was proud of their accomplishments. He loved to entertain and took much joy in cooking for his children, grandchildren, family, and friends. Proudly living up to the Greek stereotype, Steve made his own wine every year, his own tsipouro on occasion, and it wasn’t uncommon to find a lamb on the spit in the backyard. The quickest way to put a smile on his face was to take a second helping (and don’t worry, there was always enough).

Steve lived his life with honesty and integrity, had great patience, and was strong-willed. Though he is gone, his legacy will live on in cherished memories through his children, grandchildren, and the many others whose lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Sunnybrook Hospital (Cardiology Unit) or The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Visiting will be held at the Kane-Jerrett North York Funeral Home, 6191 Yonge St. (South of Steeles Ave.) on Tuesday November 21, 2023 from 3-5 p.m.and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Service on Wednesday November 22, 2023 at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of Kane-Jerrett North York Funeral Home.

Interment will take place at York Cemetery, 160 Beecroft Road, Toronto.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kanejerrettnorthyork.ca for the Bitidis family.