Lambos Hatzis

1927 - 2021

February 9, 1927 - January 14, 2021 At Allendale Long-Term Care Home in Milton It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dearest father, (great) grandfather/Papou and brother, mere weeks before his 94th birthday. He fought a tough 10 plus year battle with dementia - an absolute roller coaster ride - and he made it through COVID-19 and pneumonia in his 90s. They may have weakened his immune system but never his indomitable spirit. Dad was mentally and physically tough as nails. Born in Klidi, Greece, Dad is predeceased by his beloved wife, Eleni (the true love of his life) in 2015, son, Paschali (Peter) in 2016, parents, Theodoros and Arconda, and baby sister, Fani. He is survived by his loving children, Susan (Pano), Peter's wife Thelma, Sandy (Kirk), sisters, Vaso and Marika in Greece, grandchildren, George (Emma), Marian (Fil), Arianna (Mike), Harrison (Dad's spitting image and proud namesake - Haralambos), Eleni, Athena, great-grandchildren, Ana, Alexander, Edward, Matthew, sisters-in-law, Niki, Mora, Ioanna, and many beloved relatives and friends. In his younger days, he loved a good party with all our uncles, aunts and cousins - cards, cigarettes and his CC Whiskey were in abundance. But that all went to the wayside as he got older. He just wanted a quiet life on his beloved farm in Burlington, to be with his Eleni and have his kids and grandkids visit. Dad was a completely self-made man, coming to this country in 1958 by boat from Greece to Halifax, with a grade 2 education, no money and the only words he knew in English were "Good Morning". In spite of it all, he made his mark in the cattle industry and was a shrewd and successful businessman. He was an incredibly hard worker and (with his lead foot) loved driving around Ontario meeting with all his cattle farmers - how blessed he was to truly love his job! He was a man of few words, a straight-shooter and was not one to sugar coat anything - you always knew exactly where you stood with Dad. He was truly comfortable in his own skin, marching to the beat of his own drum. He wanted things done right and honestly. He never felt the need to keep up with the Joneses and, in spite of his business success, did not care about material things, preferring the simpler things in life like nature, animals and hunting - as long as they did not take him away from his farm or his Eleni. He was strong as a bull right to the end with big tough farmer hands. He loved a good thick juicy steak (ribeye because of the marbling), Tim Horton's, banana bread, dollar slot machines, scratch cards, grafting fruit trees, fishing and animal shows, making his own wine with Mom and a massive heaping bowl of Raisin Bran mixed with Rice Krispies for breakfast. What he did not like was idle chit chat, noise or eating out (as kids, we probably ate at restaurants a total of three times), was annoyingly early for everything and the most unskilled handyman there ever was! He hammered us with many life lessons we will never forget: -Work hard and save your money. -When you see a crowd, go the other way. -Keep your eyes on your own back yard. Never mind what anyone else is doing. -The phone is only meant to be used for two minutes at a time (that was a tough one for Mom, Sue and Sandy!). Thank you to the truly amazing Angels at Allendale Nursing Home - what comfort they brought Dad and our family. They treated him with such compassion and dignity. We feel incredible gratitude and love for them (too many to name individually) as they became "Papou's" family too. And thank you to Drs. Thomas Costin, Alan Lossing and Danny Sapir for their years of exemplary care. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be a service for the immediate family only. No flowers please. If desired as expressions of sympathy, a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Canada in memory of Lambos Hatzis would be sincerely appreciated. We are certain Dad is at last enjoying one of Mom's well-done and well-salted ribeye steaks on the charcoal bbq with an overflowing salad of organic veggies from Mom's garden and a wee shot of ouzo on ice. Cheers, Dad, we love you and will miss you so much but we know you have waited long enough to be with Mom.