Petro was born in Militsa, Messinia, Greece on July 11, 1931 to Panagioits and Efstathia Chountalos. He was the eigth of their nine children.
At a young age, he moved to Kalamata to pursue a career in furniture making. Soon after, he was introduced to Eleni Giannakoupoulou and proposed to her that very day. In 1958, he moved to Canada to reunite with his fiancé. They got married in Montreal on June 7th of that year.
He and Eleni had 2 children: Efstathia (Nick) and Panagiotis (Angela). Those two children went on to give him his five cherished grandchildren: Yianni (Emma), Petro, Eleni, Petro and Stefano.
He moved from Montreal to Vancouver with his family in 1967. They located in Kitsilano, a bustling Greek community at the time. He was a wonderful family man who always ensured his loved ones were provided for. Petro and his wife opened their home to many hometown friends and relatives when they moved to Vancouver.
Petros always kept in touch with relatives and friends from around the world. He called them all to check in often until his last. It didn’t matter where you were in the world, he would make an effort to keep the relationship alive. If you were lucky enough to spend time with him in person, though, you were sure to notice his unmistakable smile.
He was always smiling and laughing — whether it was at an Easter celebration or during a visit to the hospital.
He gave back to his community and played a key role in the Messinian brotherhood. They honored him a few years ago with an Outstanding Service Award.
He was also very passionate about his tomatoes. He had a beautiful vegetable garden and grew delicious tomatoes, which he loved to share with family and friends.
Petros is now reunited with his beloved wife in heaven, who he has missed dearly for the last five years. He could not help but shed a tear whenever someone spoke of her.
Due to the current Covid-19 issue,
a private family funeral service will be held at 11 am on April 7, 2020 at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 4500 Arbutus Street, Vancouver. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3789 Royal Oak Ave. Burnaby BC
The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, mourners send donations to the Hellenic Community of Vancouver in his honour.
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