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In Celebration of
Dimitrios Essaris
April 24, 1931 –
February 15, 2023
It is with heavy heart that we announce the death of our beloved Dimitrios Essaris at the age of 91.
Dimitrios Essaris, or « Jimmy », as he is known to his friends, was born on April 24th, 1931 in Karistos, Evia, near Athens to Ioannis and Melpomeni. The family had four children: Maria, Dimitris, Pagona and Alexandros. The post-war era in Greece was difficult and the family had to work hard to overcome poverty and hunger. Dimitrios recognized his parents’ struggles but realized at a young age that their sacrifices would not be enough to sustain the family. At the tender age of six, he started his first entrepreneurial venture by bartering eggs in the village to obtain wheat for his mother to bake bread.
Feeling suffocated in Greece, Dimitrios could not envision a future without misery and poverty. So, at 25 years old, in 1956, he sailed to Canada as a labor immigrant, aspiring for a more fulfilling life in a new world of opportunity.
He arrived in Montreal, walked along the Lachine canal to meet a compatriot who had a job potential prospect for him. He however had no success in securing a job that day. Dimitrios was provided a bus ticket back to the city and waited for another opportunity. In time, that same compatriot offered him his first full time work. It was a humble beginning that could pay Dimitrios the money his family in Greece desperately needed.
From then on, with the resolute work ethic embedded in his genes and the sharp vision of the life he wanted, he worked various jobs until he found his calling: being a self-employed owner of parking lots in the downtown area.
In 1960, he married Argyri Mountakis. Together, they raised their two children, John and Peggy. A family man now, still with little knowledge of English and French and without any formal education, Dimitrios promoted his business and build it into an empire. The
« King of Parking Lots » the company known as « METROPOLITAN PRKING ».
His next endeavour was to dabble in the realm of hospitality and restaurants, his most well-known accomplishments being Queue de cheval. Over time, he transformed several of those parking lots into hotels and condominiums, such as Hôtel Le Crystal, Le Dimitrios Appartements and The Icône Tower, forever changing the aerial landscape of downtown Montreal.
Never forgetting his roots, he remained a Hellene at heart and visited his homeland throughout his busy and glamorous life, savouring in the food, music, culture, and sun. A philanthropist of the Hellenic Community of Montreal and benefactor of Canada‘s Greek Archdiocese, he was bestowed the title of “Archon” by the Greek Orthodox Church leader, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, an honour, among the many, that he cherished deeply.
In his golden age, he enjoyed a more quiet life. He immensely enjoyed being in the company of friends for a coffee, a show, a game of squash, a match of backgammon with his friendly adversary Costa. He loved hearing from his five grandchildren Faye, Demetrius, Alexia, Evelyne and Angeliki from all around the world and more importantly, spending time with his family and friends. He lived with Alzheimer’s and was taken care of originally by Violetta, Pat and Ageliki in his latter years of his life. Those close to him describe his final year as his most exceptional.
So many men of his era achieved the “Dream” but not many had the privilege of living it with so much zest and an inborn “Kefi,” as Dimitrios did. He danced, he laughed, he suffered, he loved… he lived.
Dimitrios overcame so much hardship over nine decades but nature finally took its toll. At 91, he found his peace after a short but brave battle against pneumonia. He was surrounded by people who loved him.
Until the very end, he was thankful for all the great he was offered in his long life. Always the philosophical man, he whispered that just “wants to rest now.”
His family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to everyone who touched his life, family, friends, business colleagues.
They extend their gratitude to Dr. Jeffrey Wiseman and his team at the Royal Victoria Hospital as well as Dr. Sam Mamane and his colleagues at the Jewish General Hospital.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dimitrios Essaris April 24 1931
February 15 2023..
Death notice for the town of: Outremont, Province: Quebec
death notice Dimitrios Essaris April 24 1931
February 15 2023
mortuary notice Dimitrios Essaris April 24 1931
February 15 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Dimitrios Essaris April 24 1931
February 15 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
