Alexandros Tzakas

Was born October 10, 1936 in Piraeus Greece.

Son of Nikolaos and Nerantzo Tzakas who had emigrated from Mikr'Asia (Asia Minor) near the year of 1921.

He had 2 sisters, Stavroula and Stella.

He also had a brother Kyriakos who died at a very young age of 2 or 3 years.

Alexandros was left orphaned at 5 years old when his Mother died of illness and a very short time later, his Father was killed during the occupation of Greece during WW2.

Alexandros lived in the orphanage until he was twelve years old and went to live with his sister Stavroula and her husband Michael Kanonis.

Alexandros worked during the day as a courier, driving around Athens on a motorcycle, and went to school at night at the Eboriki where he graduated with honours and awards in 1956. This love of learning continued until the very end. Aristouxos mathitis.

In the late 1950’s Alexandros moved to Germany to work at rebuilding the country. He stayed in Germany for 5 to 6 years while working different jobs including construction, mining and food processing. His most notable job that he greatly enjoyed was working as a translator, facilitating meetings between various employers and newly arrived Greek employees.

In the winter of 1965, Alexandros moved to his new home of Canada.

In January 1966, he married Fotini Dimakarakou Tzakas at Panagia church in Toronto. The two of them were next-door neighbors as children growing up on Dimitrakopoulou street in Piraeus.

Soon later, they had 3 children, Nikolaos (Nick), Nerantzoula (Jennie). and Stavros (Steve).

Alexandros worked hard while in Canada at the same time raising a family. He returned to school at Humber College where he studied to become a machinist. He worked as a machinist until his retirement.

Alexandros had many passions in his life including playing soccer with the Greek team in Germany, studying Greek history, and tending his flower gardens at his home in Markham. Alexandros loved to read especially about Greek history, world politics and the great Greek philosophers. Most of all however, he loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was a constant presence in all of their lives and never missed a chance to share a funny joke, cheer loudly from the stands for every goal, award or graduation, teach them about their heritage and to always be proud of their heritage. Alexandros was a big Hockey fan and would never miss the opportunity to see one of his grandkids play hockey. It didn’t matter how far away the drive, how late or how cold it was he looked forward to every game.

He was very close with his grandchildren, picking up and dropping off to school, playing with them in the back yard and helping to raise them. They all love Pappou Alexi dearly and will miss him everyday.

Alexandros has left us to be with one of his favorite grandchildren Maria.

He is survived by his wife Fotini, his son Nick and Daughter-in-law Iryna, daughter Nerantzoula and son-in-law Nick, son Steve and daughter-in-law Nancy along with his grandchildren Deli, Sandy, Dimitri, Alexi, Fotini, Alexi and Vikki.

He is also survived by his sister, his many nieces and nephews, both here and in Greece, cousins, family and friends.

May his memory be eternal.

Funeral Services:
St. Demetrios Church
30 Thorncliffe Park Drive

Visitation:
Monday July 26, 2021, 5 to 8 pm

Funeral Service:
Tuesday July 27, 2021 11.30 AM
Interment Duffin Meadows Pickering Section 6