Obituary
MILIARIS, ALEC: December 17, 1939 – November 11, 2021
Our Barba peacefully passed away in the loving arms of the family he served and cherished throughout his life. Alec was born in Levidi, Greece, a small town on a great plain at the foot of the Mainalo Mountains. While the rest of the family farmed the plains, his role was that of shepherd. With a flock of sheep upwards of 100 head, he would head into the mountains during the grazing season, coming close to the village only to restock his supplies. Upon immigration to Canada, his husbandry skills translated to an uncanny ability to slaughter and dress- in the blink of an eye- a dozen head of lamb for the family at Easter. Nephews attending with him remain stunned to this day, as were the great nephews and nieces who returned home from school to find lambs hanging in the garage. Barba, an honorific title for Uncle, was a chef who successfully catered events at various synagogues in Toronto. However, the shepherd in him called and he left Toronto for Jackson’s Point, Ontario where he owned a motel for many years, and ultimately, Peterborough. It was at the Twin Seasons on Lake Simcoe where his role as Barba solidified- he would house his nieces and nephews, all ten of us, for the whole summer. He would feed and tend this “herd”, where the only return required was free labour. His assembled army tended the pools, stripped and laundered bedding, vacuumed the various dining rooms, ran the switchboard, with the most despised chore being polishing the silver. With this, the cousins and uncle bonded and remained so until his passing. Barba was mischievous, loving, and generous. Not a milestone passed in any child’s life without a card, a gift and a catered meal, coming out of heated ovens in the trunk of his Lincoln. Annually, Barba would fund and cater Christmas lunches at the Otonabee Valley Public School in Peterborough. Barba was predeceased by his wife Gladys, and his siblings George and Efrosyni. He leaves behind his caring companion Arlene Harman, his brothers Constantinos and Dimitrios and their families, Efrosyni’s family, Gladys’s children and grandchildren and Miliaris relatives in Levidi.
Friends will be received on Monday, November 15, 2021 from 10 – 10:45 a.m. at Highland Park Funeral Centre 2510 Bensfort Road, Peterborough. A Funeral Service will follow at 11 a.m. in the chapel followed by interment and reception. At the family’s request, attendees will be required to show proof of double vaccination and photo ID to attend the visitation, service and reception which will allow full capacity at the funeral home. Masks or face coverings are mandatory. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the service to ensure a timely entry to the chapel. If attending the funeral service, please pre-register by visiting Alec’s tribute page on Highland Park website. Flowers respectfully declined in favour of donations to the Salvation Army in his memory. May his memory be eternal. On-line book of Condolence may be signed at www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com
To send flowers to Alec’s family, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Alec Miliaris December 17 1939 November 11 2021 (age 81)..
Death notice for the town of: Peterborough, Province: Ontario