With deep sadness, we announce the passing John (Ioannis) Leonidas at the age of 80 on October 5th, 2020 in Montreal. He was born in 1940 in Piraeus, Greece during the second world war. He is pre-deceased by his wife Anastasia in 2014. He is survived by his sister Fotini and her family in Greece, his sons Dimitrios (Jim), Gerry, Michael, seven grandchildren, his daughter-in-law Denise and his cousins and friends in Canada and Greece.
John joined the merchant marines as young man to see the world. From Greece to North & South America, Brazil and Asia and other ports around the world he found adventure. On one of his voyages to New York City he decided to stay in New York and got a job from his uncle shuttling supplies on the daily route between Toronto and New York. He met our mother who had emigrated to Canada from Greece as a nurse in Toronto. They fell in love, got married and he had to give up New York and the merchant marines for our mother. Eventually, they settled in Montreal with all our mother’s family. Our father was a kind individual who rarely raised his voice and at crucial times in our lives provided excellent and timely advice. He was always the calming voice in our family.
Despite leaving Greece in 1962 his heart and soul remained that of a Greek. His love for Greece translated to frequent trips for us so that we maintained a connection with our roots as Greek-Canadian.
We would like to thank the doctors, nurses and support staff at the Jewish General Hospital for the excellent care and compassion.
Due to the current circumstances surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, there will be a private family funeral at Mont-Royal cemetery during the burial on November 5th, 2020 at 14:30. Thank you for your understanding.
