Obituary of Mr. John Prassoulis
PRASSOULIS, Ioannis (John) - Born in Milea, Metsovou, Greece on July 15, 1928. Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at North York General Hospital. Having lived through World War 2 and the Greek Civil War, suffering personal loss like many of his compatriots, Ioannis soon after set off for the Greek port town of Volos in search of work. There he worked in a cigarette factory, and he proudly claimed he never smoked a single cigarette. It was in Volos where his childhood passion and proximity to the Greek Orthodox church and its tradition of Byzantine music led him to the Greek School of Byzantine Music. He graduated with a diploma as a Cantor in 1950, having studied and excelled in the history, recitation, theory, and practice of the sacred liturgical tradition of Greek Byzantine music under the instruction of the esteemed teacher Hatzimarkos.
Upon his return to his birthplace of Milea, he married Evdokia and they were blessed with two sons soon after. He proudly served as a Cantor in his beloved church in Milea until like many, he left for the promise of a better life for himself and his family to Toronto, Canada in June 1968. Upon arriving in Toronto, he continued his passion as a Cantor and proudly served the Greek Community of Toronto as lead Cantor in various churches for over 50 years. In 2005, the prestigious title of Lord Cantor was bestowed upon him by His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios of the Greek Orthodox Church of Canada. He was loved and respected by his family, peers and all of those whom he befriended in the Greek Community of Toronto and the city of Toronto at large. His life exemplified a strong work ethic, integrity and above all patience with all people he encountered. Ioannis deeply touched all those around him with his kindness, good nature and generosity and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 59 years, Evdokia (2010). He was a devoted father of Triantaphyllos (Lily) and Nick (Zoi). Loving grandfather of Johnny (Charlotte), Johnny (Trina), Eva, Zoe (Mohamad) and Anthony. And a proud great-grandfather of Nicholas, Aleena, Ariana, Venus, Rula, Zoi, Filos, Yianni and Eva. Ioannis was also blessed to have Hazel by his side for 4 years. She was his personal assistant, confidant, a good listener, French toast chef, dance instructor and the list goes on. His last words to her were “thank you Hazel”.
The visitation will be held at OGDEN FUNERAL HOMES – 4164 Sheppard Ave East, Scarborough, just east of Kennedy Rd. on Friday, January 13, from 4-8 p.m. Funeral service to be held on Saturday, January 14 at 10 a.m. at St John’s Greek Orthodox Church – 1385 Warden Ave., Scarborough.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to North York General Foundation or to Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre.
