It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, Tom Mellas on December 29, 2015, with family by his side in the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre at the age of 87 years.
Tom was born in Ligourio, Greece on September 15, 1928, immigrating to Canada in 1958. He was a very hard working man, opening his first restaurant, Murray's Grill on Cumberland Street in the mid 60's. Tom, his brother Angelo and brother-in-law Nick later opened the well-known restaurant, The Blue Parrot in 1971 which operated for 40 years.
His greatest passion was for his wife and children, of whom he was so proud. He was an active member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and served on the Board of Directors for many years. He also enjoyed hunting with friends in the fall, an annual tradition. Family and friends were most important to Tom and he will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.
Tom will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Smaragde; daughters Maria Mellas-Catanzaro (Paul), Georgina, Angela Melissis (Stamati); grandchildren Stasio, Smarah, Vasili; sister Christina Davakos (Bill); sister-in-law Matina Mellas; brother-in-law Panagioti Kondogiannopoulos (Panagoula) and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by parents George and Maria; stepmother Stamatina Mellas; sisters Katina Opsimouli (Kosta), Helen Sakellaris (Nick); brother Angelo Mellas.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2016 leaving the Harbourview Funeral Centre at 9:00 a.m. to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 651 Beverly Street, for Services to begin at 9:30 a.m. presided by Rev. Fr. Nikolaos Tambakis. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday evening, December 31st from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street, with Prayers to begin at 6:00 pm. Should friends desire, donations made in memory of Tom to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church or Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated.
On-line condolences may be offered at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca
