Christos Yannios

Our Beloved Father, Grand Father and Great-Grand Father, Christos Yannios passed away peacefully at his home on May 28th, 2023 with his family lovingly at his side. He was 86 years old.

Born on February 9th, 1937 in Molaos, Greece to Panagiota and Spiros Yannios, he grew up in an era where water was fetched from a well, olives were picked from trees and he, his brother and his friends ran through the unpaved streets playing soccer. As the eldest sibling, Christos took his younger brother Georgios and baby sister Niki under his wing and protected them in a time of strife during World War II. The three of them maintained strong sibling bonds throughout their lives.

Christos met the love of his life, Eleni Kaliotzakis Yannios, in Greece at the age of 21 through his cousin. There they fell in love and planned for a beautiful future in North America. In 1959 they emigrated to Canada and paved the way for their siblings and many friends to come and join them in a new prosperous beginning.

In Canada, Christos and Eleni had three children, Nota, Anna and Doula. They would move to the United States and there they would have their youngest child, Tony.

Christos had a great love and respect for the United States. From the start, he adopted his new country as his own and considered himself an American first and a Greek second. Politics was one of the areas where Christos showed his love for knowledge and debate. He loved learning and approached every aspect of life like a philosopher, with inquisitiveness and the desire to understand. To Christos, knowledge was one of the greatest attributes a man could have. He always carried himself with poise and confidence. He was courteous and often referred to as a true gentleman.

In his early days in Canada, Christos took up menial jobs to pay the bills. But with a very sharp aptitude and a desire to provide for his family, Christos succeeded. He would burn the midnight oil studying both French and English so he could then study culinary arts and advance in his work. Eventually through his grit and determination Christos came to own his own restaurants and achieved success. Being a “businessman” was one of his proudest achievements.

As a father, Christos was focused on raising bright, respectful, and responsible children. He was an expert at teaching the “intangibles,” Honor, Integrity, Honesty, Respect, Determination, Discernment, Persistence and Guts. But Christos was more than that. He was a safe harbor, a shoulder to lean on, a strong loving father that made everything alright. His profound lessons stay with us all today and have been passed down the generations through his children to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

We will miss him, his guidance, and his beautiful smile. He will live in our hearts and continue to influence our lives forever.

Christos is predeceased by his wife Eleni, his daughter Nota and his brother George.

He is survived by his daughter Anna and her husband John, his daughter Doula and her husband Panagioti, his son Tony and his wife Julia, his grandchildren, Danny, Sophia, Tia, Eleni, Efthimia, Yiorgo, Christo, Alexandra and Michael Archer and his great grandchildren Danny, Michael, Matthew and Adrianos.

Christos served his community through different organizations including serving as President of the Parish Council and Greek School of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. He was also an active member of AHEPA and the PAN Gregorian business alliance.

Viewing Services will be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church on Wednesday, May 31st from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Funeral Services will be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church on Thursday, June 1st beginning at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, and in appreciation for the tremendous assistance provided to Christos during his illness, donations can be made to the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation

https://donate.panfoundation.org/fundraiser/4746821