Michael Papantoniou

Sadly missed by his loving wife Georgia, sons George and Demos, daughter-in- law Mahi, grandchildren Michael, Athan, Madeline and Amelie, siblings Ourania, Zaharias, Evanthia and Vicky, as well as all relatives and friends.

Prayers will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 at 7:00 pm at St. Nicholas & Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church, 4641 Boundary Road, Vancouver. Coffee and refreshments will be served in the downstairs hall. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 29th at 11:00 am at St. Nicholas & Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church.

Father Timoleon Prattas officiating.

Burial to follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Burnaby.

A memorial reception will be held following the burial services in the church downstairs hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations to either the BC Cancer Society, Eagle Ridge Hospital or Crossroads hospice would be greatly appreciated.

The Prayer of the Humble

By poet/writer and Michael’s great-great-granduncle Zacharias Papantoniou

Lord, as the evening has come, I say my prayer to you,

I have not harmed another soul in the world, other than mine.

Even those who may have hurt me, I still love,

I don’t hold bitterness, give me others’ too.

I may have missed on many joys, I don’t seek them back,

I’m ready for any outcome, and even if I wait for hope, that could be a sin.

I love the night’s fear, just like I love joy,

It is only the wind knocking on my door.

I am not glorious. What I accomplished in life, is very humble,

I’ve listened to the sweet rain; I have seen the dusk.

I gave children joys, caress to animals,

And greeted people in the evening on their way back home.

Now, I have nothing to give, nor keep,

I seek no reward, that’s too much to ask for.

I was prosperous in life, and as I go, I seek no more,

I am just thankful that I’ve seen the mountains and the valleys.

Η Προσευχή του Ταπεινού

Ζαχαρίας Παπαντωνίου

Κύριε, σαν ήρθεν η βραδιά σου λέω την προσευχή μου:

Άλλη ψυχή δεν έβλαψα στον κόσμο απ’ τη δική μου.

Εκείνοι που με πλήγωσαν ήταν αγαπημένοι.

Την πίκρα μου τη βάστηξα· μου δίνεις και την ξένη.

Μ’ απαρνηθήκαν οι χαρές. Δεν τις γυρεύω πίσω.

Προσμένω τα χειρότερα. Είν’ αμαρτία να ελπίσω.

Σαν ευτυχία την αγαπώ της νύχτας τη φοβέρα.

Στην πόρτα μου άλλος δε χτυπά κανείς απ’ τον αγέρα.

Δεν έχω δόξα. Είν’ ήσυχα τα έργα που έχω πράξει.

Άκουσα τη γλυκιά βροχή, τη δύση έχω κοιτάξει,

‘Eδωκα στα παιδιά χαρές, σε σκύλους λίγο χάδι,

ζευγάδες καλησπέρισα που γύριζαν το βράδυ.

Τώρα δεν έχω τίποτα, να διώξω ή να κρατήσω.

Δεν περιμένω ανταμοιβή· πολύ ’ναι τέτοια ελπίδα!

Ευδόκησε ν’ αφανιστώ, χωρίς να ξαναζήσω.

Σ’ ευχαριστώ για τα βουνά και για τους κάμπους που είδα.

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