Stavros THEODOROPOULOS

STAVROS THEODOROPOULOS
Peacefully on November 5, 2011 in his 82nd year at Mount Sinai Hospital. Loving husband of Anastasia for over 44 years. Beloved father of George (Betty) and John (Betty). Cherished grandfather of Anastasia, Stavros and John. Survived by brother Peter. A native of Greece, Stavros Theodoropoulos started as the son of humble farmers in a small village south of Patras. At 15 years old he began as a tailor's apprentice and when his family moved to Athens in 1948 Stavros took up his art form in one of the city's finest shops. In 1959, looking for greater opportunities, he took a two-week boat trip to Toronto and soon opened his first store on Waltham Street. However, his heart was still in Greece and in 1964 Stavros returned to the land of Socrates and Plato where he opened up a shop near Syntagma Square in Athens. Shortly after arriving in Athens he fell in love with Anastasia and the two were married in 1967. Their first son, George, was born a year later. The military dictatorship in Greece, which began in 1967, was not good for business and in 1969 Stavros took his young family back to the safe shores of Canada. Shortly after arriving in Canada, their second son John was born. With hard work, incredible talent and an uncompromising pursuit of quality he managed to reach the peak of his craft and was considered by many as Toronto's premier tailor. He remained faithful to old-school traditions and behind his showroom on Church Street a team of elite cutters and tailors worked to make the most beautiful suits this side of the Atlantic. He soon opened a second store on Cumberland Street in the tiny neighbourhood of Yorkville where travellers from all over the world, including royalty, Hollywood stars and Bay Street big shots, would visit him for the privilege of ordering a 'Stavros' suit. Many will recall his zest for life, his passion for quality and his intense love of his family. In his retirement he enjoyed a good game of backgammon and a nip of ouzo while relaxing at his beachside summerhouse in Greece. Stavros would often quote Socrates 'When the end is good, all is good.' Visitation will be held at HERITAGE FUNERAL CENTRE, 416-423-1000, on Tuesday and Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. A funeral service will be held in St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 10, 2011. Interment to follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Directions and online condolences can be found at www.heritagefuneralcentre.ca.