Leslie Vasilaros

Leslie (Eleftherios) Vasilaros - June 3, 1932 - January 15, 2013
Leslie passed away on Tuesday evening at Wyndham Manor in Oakville at the age of 80. He was a loving husband to Velda (nee) Stovell for 47 years, and the cherished father of Catherine (Michael), Christine (Daniel) and Lorraine (Matthew). He will be lovingly remembered by grandchildren Sam, Luke, Sophia, Gabriel, Eva, Theo and George. He is survived by siblings Mary, Damon, Peter and Dennis and was predeceased by his parents Stavros and Kalliope, and by his brothers Angelo and Nick.

Les was born in Samos, Greece on June 3, 1932, the first of eight children. His father, Stavros, was a chief of police, a position which required the family to move frequently throughout Greece and Cypress during World War II and the Greek Civil War. He came to Canada through Pier 21 in Halifax in November 1951. Les settled in Kingston, Ontario where he began learning the English language using his Greek-English dictionary and the newspaper. He was accepted at McMaster University and in 1960 he received a Bachelor degree in Economics, and thereafter graduated from the University of Toronto law school in 1965. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1967 - the first Greek –born person to do so. Les’ law practice served the needs of Greek-Canadians in real estate, commercial and estate planning law. He thoroughly enjoyed his role in advising and helping members of the Greek community establish and build their lives in Canada. He served on the Board of Directors of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, as counsel for the Greek Orthodox Church of Toronto (Canada) and was a founding member of the Hellenic Canadian Lawyers Association.

In 1965, Les married his sweetheart, Velda, and together they raised three wonderful daughters. Les loved spending time with his family in Florida, Greece and Muskoka where his passion for gardening flourished. He was a loving husband, caring friend and brother and outstanding father and grandfather.

The family will receive friends at the Ward Funeral Home , 109 Reynolds Street, Oakville (905 844 3221) on Sunday, January 20, 2013 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias, 1785 Matheson Boulevard, Mississauga, on Monday January 21, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Internment will be at Springcreek cemetery in Mississauga with a luncheon following at the church. Panachyda (prayers)will be held at the funeral home on Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers (no scented flowers please) donations can be made to Extendicare Wyndham Manor Long-Term Care Facility or the Neurosciences Unit at Trillium Health Centre, Mississauga.