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CONSTANTINE NICHOLAS (GUS) VARDALOS
Date of Passing: Mar 12, 2020
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CONSTANTINE NICHOLAS (GUS) VARDALOS
Constantine is survived by his beloved wife, Doreen (nee Christakos) of 60 years, and his loving children, Nancy (Dimos), Nia (Ian), Marianne (Anas) and Niko (Alexandra). Pappou Gus will be profoundly missed by his grandchildren, Foti, Paris, Costa, Dominique, Tiahn, Ilaria, Ariana and Aris.
Oldest son of Nicholas and Antonia Vardalos, Constantine was predeceased by his brothers, Thanasi and Theodore (Frieda) and his sister, Maria (Yiannis). He will be missed by surviving sisters, Angeliki (Constantine) Demacopoulos, Irini (Dimitri) Skoufis and Akrivoula (Theodore) Papagianniopoulos, by brother Panagiotis (Sophie), and by sister-in-law Melissa (George) Diacos. He is fondly remembered by cousins, nephews and nieces across Canada, the USA, Greece and Australia.
Constantine, known by most as Gus, was born in the bucolic village of Drymos, Kalavryta, on the Greek Peloponese. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1954, the 22 year old was processed by Canadian immigration and travelled to Rosetown, Saskatchewan for work. Having trained in the Greek Air Force as a mechanic, Gus eventually travelled to Chicago to attend Greer College's Auto Mechanics Program. He then made his way back to Winnipeg where he temporarily lived with uncle and aunt, Theodore and Ruby Vardalos, and secured an apprenticeship at Inman Motors on Main Street.
Young Gus was a cantor in the city's only Hellenic Greek Orthodox Church on Furby Street, where he set his sights on a parishioner named Doreen Christakos. They soon married and settled in St. Vital where he and his brothers were growing their businesses and their families.
Committed to preserving Greek heritage for the well-being of the Greek diaspora, Gus served as President of the Greek Orthodox Community from 1972 to 1975, at which time, he presided over the construction of the new church on Grant Avenue. He also sat on the church council for several years as both executive and a member at large. Gus was a volunteer at Folklorama for many years, and also acted as Mayor of the Greek Pavilion. He always saw it his duty to preserve the Apostolic Tradition and to exemplify Christian service through faith and humility, and was honoured to be ordained under the Archdiocese to the rank of Anagnostes Reader.
Despite coming from humble beginnings in post-war Greece, Gus lived the North American Dream. He became immortalized on the Big Screen as the iconic, "Gus Portakolas" from My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
After careful consideration regarding the new Covid-19 crisis, and in the interest of the community's health, the family has decided to postpone a memorial service to a later date to be announced. A private family funeral service will be held. Broadcast of the live stream funeral service will be available on Thursday, March 19, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. Please visit: tinyurl.com/yx477xxb. Both the livestream and the resulting video will be available at tinyurl.com/yx477xxb, until March 27, 2020.
Because of Gus' eternal love and commitment to Winnipeg's Greek Orthodox Community donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the St. Demetrios Church, 2255 Grant Ave., Winnipeg MB R3P 0S2. Phone: 204-889-8723, Fax: 204-837-4340, Email: greekcom@mymts.net
www.voyagefuneralhomes.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 17, 2020
Condolences & Memories (9 entries)
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I met Gus and Doreen at Greek Pavilion many years ago and Nancy Vardalos Gus daughter. I mentioned I work in movies and always to meet his other daughter Nia. He was very nice to talk with. I own the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding so every time I watch it I will have great memories of him and the actor that played him . He will be missed. - Posted by: barry kopulos (friend) on: May 20, 2020
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My condolences to Doreen and your Family. I worked for Gus in the seventies at Niakwa Motors and spent fourty years in the automotive trade. I thank him for starting my career. He and his family treated me as family. For that I will be for ever grateful. Rollie Riel - Posted by: Rollie Riel (Friend) on: Mar 20, 2020
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Deepest condolences to Doreen, the children, and all the Vardalos family. In the late 60’s, early 70’s they lived on Morrow Ave, we lived across the gardens on Niakwa Rd. I worked for Gus at their house and when Gus ran Niakwa Motors on Archibald. Always remember their dog Misty. Time and space separate people, but can never remove the wonderful memories that time cannot erase from those days. May you all find peace at this difficult time. - Posted by: Garry Palahitski (Friend and neighbour ) on: Mar 18, 2020
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Sorry for your loss Nancy & Dimos, we will see you soon - Posted by: Stefan Szuminsky (Friend) on: Mar 17, 2020
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On behalf of the AHEPA Family and Winnipeg Chapter Polikos Aster CJ8, I express our deepest sympathy to the family of Constantine (Gus) Vardalos and offer our prayers to you. As an extension of Brother Vardalos’s strong commitment to the Greek community and Hellenism, he was a devoted member of the Order of AHEPA (American Hellenic and Progressive Association) for many years after joining in 1962. His participation in many chapter cultural and philanthropic endeavors was made with an enthusiasm for life and desire for excellence. Gus’s kindness and generosity was only matched by his candid sense of humour which brought much light and inspiration to us all. His contribution to life fulfilled the ideals of family/excellence, education, civic responsibly, philanthropy, and Hellenism. Eonia Eimnemi (May his memory be eternal). - Posted by: William Constan, Secretary, Order of AHEPA Chapter CJ8 (Friend) on: Mar 17, 2020
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Penny and I met, sat with, Gus and Doreen at a wedding a number of years ago and two things have stuck with me: First was the remarkable, delightful and joyous relationship he and his wife had. Penny and I both remarked that they were an inspiration for any married couple. Doesn't mean they agreed on everything, but they exuded love and respect and twinkles in their eyes when interacting. Second, Gus, and Doreen, were both impressive, interesting individuals and a delight to visit with. I thanked the bride for sitting us with Gus and Doreen - the best table at the reception! I am sure the Lord greets all arrivals with open arms and a warm smile and none with wider more welcoming arms and warmer smile than Gus Vardalos. - Posted by: Sheldon Bowles (Brief Acquaintance ) on: Mar 17, 2020
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Nia, Ian and all the family. My condolences for the loss of your Father. As a Charleswood resident, I would pass a garage with the Greek flag painted on it. And always reminded me of the Movie. I always enjoyed going to the Greek Pavilion and having a tour of the beautiful Church. - Posted by: Cathy (Friend) on: Mar 17, 2020
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Doreen and Family We are thinking about you at this time of sorrow, our condolences to your family. Please remember all the wonderful memories that he left with you. Dave, Jill & Chantel Studney - Posted by: Dave, Jill and Chantel Studney (Friends) on: Mar 17, 2020
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Dear Nancy, Dimos, and family Please know that you all are in our hearts, and we are sending our love to your family. Love, Heather, Alan and Sydney xo - Posted by: Heather den Boer (friend) on: Mar 17, 2020
