Obituary of Dimosthenis GANAS

DIMOSTHENIS (JIM) GANAS It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Dimosthenis on Saturday, January 10, 2009 in his home with his family by his side. Dimosthenis is survived by his wife, Bertha (Panagiota) of 38 years, children John (Vicki), Nancy (Stelios), grandchildren Potoula, Lia, Stella, and Alexandros, brother Costas, sisters Panagiota and Hariklia. He was born in Mili, Argos, Greece on June 3, 1945. Coming from humble beginnings and in search of a better life at the age of 22 years, he embarked on his journey to Canada to join his brothers Nick and Ted. He arrived in Winnipeg in the frigid February cold. He often remarked that walking off the plane onto the tarmac, with only a sweater on, that maybe Winnipeg wasn't a place for a young Mediterranean man. He would have taken the next flight home but barely could afford cab fare. He desperately tried to scrounge enough money for a plane ticket home, but fate would intervene. He met the love of his life Panagiota and his destiny was set. They were married on October 11, 1970. With this marriage came another amalgamation - Nick's Inn Restaurant in Headingley. He worked hand in hand with his wife and in-laws to make Nick's Inn a great success. Jim, as his customers knew him, would wander the restaurant often telling tales and joking with the clientele. He gained the love and respect of all those he met. This was evident by the constant return of his many regular customers. Jim was an avid golfer whose favorite days were spent on the golf course with his son and friends followed by an evening of thoroughbred racing at Assiniboia Downs. His love of his homeland would bring him back to Greece every year where he and his wife would return to his hometown to spend time visiting his daughter and grandchildren and his childhood friends. Dimosthenis was a member of the Greek Orthodox Church for 40 years. He supported his community by donating a classroom at the Greek Hellenic Cultural Centre in Winnipeg. Never forgetting his roots he also donated a church bell to the Twelve Apostles Church in Mili, Greece. After hearing of Dimosthenis' passing, the bell was rung all day Sunday, as a sign of respect and mourning. Dimosthenis will be greatly missed by all. His smile, his over-exaggerated mannerisms while telling an amusing anecdote, his generosity, his unconditional love of his family, will never be forgotten. Prayers will be said on Tuesday, January 13 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Avenue. Funeral Service will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 14 at 11:00 a.m. also at the church with Reverend Father Ted Paraskevopoulos officiating. Interment at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be John Ganas, Mike Ganas, Paul Cholakis, Ernest Cholakis, Tony Vagianos, and George Matheos. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hellenic Cultural Centre care of St. Demetrios.