Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, husband, and grandfather Spyridon “Spyros” Douvis.
Spyros was born on August 9, 1939 in the small village of Megalos Valtos, in the mountains of Corinthia, Greece. He was the youngest of 5 children, who all lived modestly in a two-room house, devoid of electricity or running water, but abundant in love. Despite these humble beginnings, Spyros excelled in the local village school, and at age 13, he started middle school in the town of Kiato, a 13 km walk down mountain paths. Each Sunday evening, he left home with some food in his bag which was to last him the entire week. Occasionally, he and his friend would steal an onion or watermelon from a farmer’s field to add variety to their meals.
Through the financial help of his older brother George (who worked as a saddle maker) he graduated high school and then became a clerk in the Air Force during his mandatory Greek military service. Following his service, Spyros worked in a bank until age 26, then decided to follow in the footsteps of his brother George and seek out a better life in Canada. After a week on an old military ship that brought immigrants to North America, he landed in Halifax on March 11, 1966.
The long train ride eventually brought him to Calgary, where he was reunited with George who had started a family with his wife Kassy.
His first job in Canada was as a busboy at the Palliser Hotel and when he had learned enough English, he was promoted to the position of waiter. In February 1969 he first tried his hand in the pizza business and moved to Lethbridge with “Uncle Louie” to start the first Top Pizza. This year proved to be quite busy as later he also married our mother, Christina, following a long-distance courtship. After a few years, it was time to reunite with Uncle George again when both families moved to Medicine Hat to start up the first of their restaurants together. In June of 1970, Top Pizza on 2nd St was founded. Those first years were challenging, as dad explained that people initially really didn’t know what “pizza” was. This eventually changed and through their hard work, they became successful and eventually opened up a 2nd location “Top Steak House” which still exists today on Dunmore Road. Dad spent the next 20 years managing the “Steak House” while Uncle George managed the downtown location. They sold the Dunmore Road location in the mid ’90s and reunited to run “Tops” downtown for a few years before it sold and they eventually both retired.
He always had a smile on his face and made so many friends throughout his business years. He always talked about how appreciative he was for what Canada gave him and how great Medicine Hat was as a community.
Dad enjoyed sports throughout his life. From his humble beginnings, he often spoke about playing soccer as a kid barefoot with a ball made of carefully tied rags. In his years in Canada, he learned how to ski, traveling as far as Lake Tahoe for the skiing experience, and later became a partner in Hidden Valley Ski Hill. He also loved swimming, racquetball, golf, and going for long walks. He enjoyed watching his kids play all sports and was a fixture at all of their games. He loved watching hockey and was a Tigers season ticket holder for many years. His love of sports also spread to the community, as through Tops Pizza, he was a sponsor for many youth teams. He also looked forward to his trips back to Greece with mom where he spent most of the time visiting with his sister-in-law, Panagiota whom he loved like a sister.
But what he loved most was family. He was a kind, loving, generous, and, most of all, a patient father who led by example. He was tough when needed but sensitive and gentle by nature. He did what was needed to give a better life for his kids and to ensure his wife of 53 years was well cared for. He was the king of telling “Dad jokes” and loved to laugh. He set an amazing example of how to use compassion and kindness to live life to its fullest.
As much of a good father he was, he was even a better grandfather. He loved spending time with Christina, Spiro, Simeon, and Anna Maria and looked forward to seeing his honorary grandson Bensyn every Thursday. They were his life. He told us many times that “He didn’t care when he died as long as he could see his grandkids to the end”. In these last few years, on the hardest of days for Dad, a visit from his grandchildren refilled his batteries each time.
Dad also loved going for coffee with his friends (Louie, Harry, and Gus) at the par 3 and eventually in the “cafeneio” set up in the garage when he became less mobile. Although dad didn’t talk much when he spoke it was to say something important or to make the others laugh.
His latter years brought on many health issues which eventually led to him being on dialysis for the last 14 years. Even though this was very difficult on him, he never complained and felt blessed for the care he was given. This positive outlook on life is what dad was known for. He always made others feel better about themselves and he always left everyone with a smile.
This was especially true when at age 79 he lost his leg due to diabetic complications. He was told that he would never walk again but after 6 months of hard work and a positive mindset, he received his prosthetic leg and learned to walk again. He even had a chance to golf again, if even for a few final rounds.
His final few years were spent mainly at home with mom, usually sitting in his chair, warmed by the sun through the living room window. Through the love and dedication of his wife, children, and his healthcare aide, Paula, who treated our father like her own, he spent his last years so comfortably before his final passing.
Spyros is survived by his wife Christina; his children Father Ioannikios, Nick (Voula), Pamela, and Anastasia (Daniel); his grandchildren, Christina, Spiro, Simeon, and Anna-Maria. He is also survived by his sister in Angeliki (Ionannis); his nieces and nephews, Aleka (Petros), Vlassis (Julie), Yiannis (Amalia), Pamela (Greg), Sophie, John (Georgia), Kostas (Christina), Nikos (Theoni), Katerina (Triphonas), Panayota (Noda) and their respective families, as well as his many godchildren.
He is predeceased by his parents Ioannis and Panagiota; his brothers Konstandinos, George, and Demetrios; his sisters-in-law Panagiota, Kassiani, and Anastasia; and his granddaughter Eirini.
We would like to express our gratitude to the following:
– Dr. Ahmad and the dialysis team who watched over him for 14 years, and who he considered a second family.
– Dr Ciubotaru, for being there when we needed and together with Gita, provided kind, supporting words for mom with every check up.
– Carly, Joanie and the entire team at Crestwood Pharmacy who accommodated us on a regular basis
– Shelly with Colette Cares and then Roland with Deluxe Taxi for going above and beyond the call of duty and who we can call friends today.
– to all our family, koubari, friends, near and far, who dedicated time, be it a visit, a hand in the yard, a coffee on Sundays, or a much-needed phone call, we thank you.
Dad left this world fulfilled.
Funeral Service will be held at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church (1 Tamarac Crescent SW) on Friday, October 14, 2022 at 11:00am. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Spyridon Spyros Douvis August 9 1939 October 10 2022 (age 83)..
Death notice for the town of: Calgary, Province: Alberta