Tony Vamvakas passed peacefully in the early morning of July 3, 2025. He is predeceased by his parents Panagiotis and Athena Vamvakas, his 12 siblings Andekos, Vasilios, Petros, Dimitris, Dinos, Xristos, George, Marina, Marika, Spiroula, Anna and Dina, his loving wife, Eva (Ghikas) and his son, Elias. He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Nancy (Fenwick) Vamvakas, his 3 grandchildren, Olivia (and Daniel) Welsh, Megan Vamvakas and Michael Vamvakas, and many nieces and nephews.
Born and raised in Nafplion, Greece, Tony served his 2 years in the military, and then immigrated to Canada in the mid-1960’s. He came to join his brother, Dinos, but decided to stay for the lovely and beautiful Eva Ghikas, whom he later married and became adoptive father to Elias. He soon sponsored many of his nieces and nephews to come to Canada, and soon there was a large and loving Vamvakas clan here in the GTA!
On arrival in Canada, Tony went to work in the kitchens as a dishwasher. Over the years, he worked his way up until he was General Manager of George’s Spaghetti House, where he made wonderful friends, and rubbed shoulders with many up and coming musicians. The best part of this job, according to Elias, was Tony arriving home at 2:00am Sunday mornings with piping hot pizza for the family! His time at George’s, and later George’s Bourbon St, were defining times for him, and although he left the restaurant business in 1997, his interest in the industry never left him. Even at the Senior Homes he lived in, he was always happy to offer suggestions and tips to the servers, the cooks and the managers!
Tony was also a wonderful friend to everyone he met. A natural charmer, his very large heart and his desire to help everyone meant that everyone who met him, loved him. He had enough love for not just his own family and friends, but the friends of his family and the family of his friends. When the opportunity came to help build The Olive Branch Community Church, Tony jumped right in to help, and worked every day through the construction, and then every Sunday for many years on the Coffee Team. He and Eva would bake hundreds of cookies each week, and delight in serving them after Church. The friends they made at TOB were meaningful and eternal!
However, even more than a restauranteur, and more than a friend, Tony was defined by being a Papou. Olivia, Megan and Michael meant everything to him, and he and Eva dedicated 20 years to helping love and support the raising of the grandchildren. Even when Nancy was still pregnant with Olivia, Eva started trying to solicit a promise that they could do ALL the babysitting. Tony would drive Eva and the kids in the minivan everywhere and anywhere, and always with a stop at McDonalds for chicken nuggets and fries. As soon as the kids were old enough, the van was packed with friends, too, to share in the adventures.
And when you put together his restaurant love, his ability to make friends easily, and his role as Papou, it is only natural that the last almost 30 years have been spent being Papou to everyone, whether he was making pancakes and bacon with the neighborhood kids every summer on Saturdays, or coming to cheer on volleyball, baseball, field hockey, basketball, and soccer games, as well as cross-country runs and dance recitals!! And whatever the sport….Tony apparently knew the rules better than anyone, and offered unsolicited help to the refs and umps! It always made everyone laugh.
The final years of Tony’s life were difficult, as dementia stole his joy and his wonderful memories. While he thankfully never forgot his immediate family, his history and his extended family and many friends were taken from him. We are so very thankful for the Care Team at The Meadows of Aurora Oakdale Terrace who provided the daily care, love and friendship that he needed. We would like to especially thank Elinor and Michael, who were with him his whole stay at The Meadows, and who Tony truly loved like family.
A private family Celebration of Life will be held in July, as well as one last pancake breakfast in his honor, with the (now grown) neighborhood children.
Thank you, LORD, for Tony’s life; for the love he gave and the joy he brought. Amen.
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