PROESTOS, Efthimios (Mike) Proestos   -  passed away on July 29, 2024.

He leaves behind his devoted and loving wife Elizabeth (Betty) of 51 years and daughter, Xenia.

Mike was born on August 24, 1936 in Aigaleo, Greece. In those years, nobody had much but you would never know it from the stories he told about a wonderful childhood, his beloved parents, Polixeni and Yianni, older brother Parasxos (Despina) and younger sister Anastasia (Yianni).

Many of his childhood friends and neighbours never left their street and there were many joyful reunions over the years.

By the early 1970’s, Betty had moved to Canada from Scotland. She and a Greek friend were traveling in Greece, where she met Mike. It wasn’t long before he followed her to Canada and they were married in Toronto in 1973.

For the next three decades, they lived within walking distance of Greektown (Danforth) before moving to the suburbs. He worked as a painter, where he was able to get by on limited English and made life-long friends and koumbari. Xenia was born in 1977 and it was the little family of three from then on.

It was hard not having extended family in Canada but good friends were never far.

Mike’s singular focus for Xenia was education and he was so proud of her when she graduated law school. As for her non-academic endeavours, he never understood why someone who wasn’t being chased would run long distances but he cheered the loudest and was the proudest supporter at every finish line.

He begrudgingly completed many 5km walks and trail runs, crossing the finish lines that happened to be en route to the food and beverages and bypassing the ones that weren’t. This was just one example of what he would do to make his daughter and wife happy. Wearing a kilt on festive occasions was another.

Canada was home because of his wife and daughter but his heart never left Greece and until the end of his days, reminisced about life in Greece and the Greek lifestyle. He loved his family, food, backgammon, the kafenio and soccer (an 80+ year supporter of Panathinaikos).

The highlight of his soccer career was kicking the ball around on a beach in Greece which led to a chance encounter with Pele and a prized photo he described as depicting, “the greatest soccer player of all time. And Pele!” Most of all, he loved being in company. He loved being with people and despite the language barrier, made everyone laugh. His favourite jokes never got old.

After smoking three packs of cigarettes a day for 65 years, allegedly without inhaling, it seemed he was indestructible. After losing his driver’s license to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis five years ago, he managed to navigate the public transit system for the first time in his life without a bus schedule, a cell phone or keys. After a frantic and police-involved search, he was found. Back from the casino, sitting at the kitchen table. The only sign of confusion he showed was in asking, “where have I been? Where have you been?” But, eventually, the Alzheimer’s and a broken hip got the better of him. He was brave and strong and never complained. He was 87 and lived a full life but it was still too soon.

There are many worthy charities.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation. Please also plan a visit, coffee or dinner with your mom, dad or family.

Arrangements with McEACHNIE FUNERAL HOME .

No matter how much time you have together, it will never be enough.