Obituary of Panayioti Yannitsos

PANAYIOTI (PETER) YANNITSOS It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Panayioti (Peter) Yannitsos on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at the age of 82 years. A husband, father, grandfather, brother, and Psalti (chanter), he was born on October 29, 1932 in Stolos, Kynourias, Arkadias, Greece. He was predeceased by his parents, Eleni (Rounis) and Ioanis Yannitsos; and his brothers, George and Nicholas. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Dina; sons, John (Despina) and George (Sophia); his proud five grandchildren, Constantina, Panayioti, Demetra, Afrothiti and Eleni; brother Jim (Martha) and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Panayioti was very fortunate to have a loving aunt, Evgenia, who enabled and guided him to attend and complete high school in Greece. It was here and at the Metropolis that Panayioti began his beloved journey of his faith and service to the Greek Orthodox Church. He absolutely loved being a Psalti (chanter) and that no matter when or where or how tired he might be, he would always be there at the beginning of services and would have the strength and passion to finish the services. His life was one of sacrifices, determination, and respect. He and his beloved wife left their families in Greece in 1959 for a better life in Canada. He never had a chance to say goodbye to his mother and she passed away before he returned to Greece 12 years later. He never forgot where he came from and always supported his and his wife’s families back in Greece. He also did whatever he could to sponsor many family members and bring them to Canada, a country he grew to love equally as much. Hundreds of family and friends have stayed at their home at 2150 McIntyre Street, his beloved home from the first day they arrived in Canada. Panayioti was an extremely hard-working man. He arrived in Regina on Wednesday and started working on Saturday and practically worked each day for the rest of his life. He started as a dishwasher at the Embassy and through hard work and patience; he would become owner of the Grand Hotel Café. His career would take him to be the Food and Beverage Manager of the Regina Inn and then to open the 4Seasons in 1977. He realized a dream of owning the 4Seasons with his sons in 1998. He was “Papou” to all the staff and customers and was respected to the very last day he worked. He was a huge Rider fan, loved his beloved Maple Leafs, and cheered on the Greek national soccer team. He loved travelling especially to the 2004 Olympics in Greece. He was honoured to meet the Patriarch in Constantinople with his sons and to visit the Holy Lands with Father Nicholas. Recently he enjoyed trips with his sons to watch football and hockey games. He joked it was the only way he could get days off. Above all, his family meant the world to him. His wife, sons, his daughters-in-law and his beloved grandchildren was the reason he worked so hard and sacrificed so much. He often didn’t say much but his family knew “Papou” loved them with all his heart and how proud he was that all his sacrifices produced his amazing family. After being the Psalti (chanter) of St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church for 56 years, God graced him with the strength to finish work at his beloved 4Seasons on Saturday, have his beloved wife get him ready for Church on Sunday morning as she did all her life, and have his eldest son John drive him to Church. He was in exceptionally fine form for his last service, had a coffee with his cousins and friends, and said his final goodbye in the house of God. He left this earth in a most beautiful way and one fitting for the wonderful man he was. He was loved and respected by his family in Canada and Greece, by the members of St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Community, and by the staff and customers of 4Seasons. We love you Dad and Papou and will be forever grateful for everything you did. May his memory be eternal. Prayers will be held at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3000 Argyle Road on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church on Friday, February 20, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3000 Argyle Road, Regina, SK, S4S 2B2.