Obituary of Gregorios "Greg" Mantikos

Our family is still shocked and saddened to announce the unexpected passing of Gregorios (Greg) Mantikos on Saturday, October 26, 2019.  A devoted husband, dedicated father and adored grandfather, Gregory was born in Madikeika (Stolos), Arkadia, Greece on August 8, 1939.

He was predeceased by his parents Konstantinos and Maria; in-laws Panagioti and Anastasia; twin daughters Konstantina and Panayiota; brother Chrisoulis (Vasio); and brothers-in-law Ilias Kambilafkas and Ilias Haralambopoulos. Greg leaves to mourn his loss his wife of 48 years, Ioanna “Joanne”; daughters  Maria (Milton) Orellana and Anastasia (Seth) Neuls; grandchildren Gregory and Victoria Vasiliki Orellana and Nikolaos Neuls; siblings Poppy, Kanella, Vasiliki (Stratos), and Stavros (Sophia); brothers and sisters-in-law Harry (Stella), Nick (Vasio), Ismini (Thanassi), Petros and Maria; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends. 

He spent his early years helping on the family farm, until he served his army duties as a cook before getting his first job as a cheese maker. He immigrated with two friends to Canada in February 1966. 

He returned to Greece in 1971 to marry the love of his life Ioanna Penesis and they returned to Regina to begin their life as newlyweds. Together they worked very hard to provide a better life for their two daughters.  They were actively involved in the Regina Greek Community and participated in many events throughout the years.

He worked at several landmark restaurants and cafés before settling in for a long career from 1978 until he retired in 2009 from the Chimney Restaurant. 

In his retirement years, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, tending to his garden, participating in the morning conversation with his coffee friends and hosting and cooking many suppers for his family and friends. As an avid sports fan, he watched many games with his grandkids, even recently taking a family trip to Winnipeg to watch the Jets vs the Canadiens.

We celebrated the milestone of his 80^th birthday with a surprise party and many friends and family came to honour him. He was a quiet and sensitive man but firm and very fun loving, with a twinkle in his eye, a firm handshake and always a hug. 

He was very supportive and proud of his family and all that his children and grandchildren accomplished.  We will miss hearing him say that his greatest joy is having his kids and grandkids with him every single day.  He will be dearly missed by so many. 

We would like to extend our gratitude to Father Spyridon Vandoros for his support and daily visits

Prayers will be held Tuesday October 29, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.  Funeral service will take place on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. Both services will be held at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3000 Argyle Road, Regina, SK.

Flowers most gratefully declined.  Friends so wishing may make donations, in memoriam, to Alberta Children’s Hospital who continue to provide great care for his grandson Gregory and so many others.   (www.childrenshospital.ab.ca)