Obituary of Demetrios "Jim" Bobotsis

It is with great sadness that we announce that on July 21, 2018 in his 84th year, Demetrios (Jim ) Bobotsis died peacefully surrounded by his family at University Hospital. Jim was born in the mountainous village of Goranoi, Greece (a small village near Sparta) in 1935 to Konstantinos and Chrisoula Bobotsis and was the eldest of four children. He was baptized at Agios Giorgios in Goranoi by godparent Stylianos Mavromichalis, former Prime Minister of Greece. He proudly served as a transmission officer in the Hellenic Army. He emigrated to Canada in 1960 as a young man looking for a better life. He loved Greece and loved Canada. After first arriving at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Queen Frederica, Jim made his way by train to meet his relatives in London, Ontario. Jim married Maria Kokkoros at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on May 5, 1961. They chose London as a place where they would build their lives and family together. He worked at five different locations until 1964 until he gathered enough money to purchase his first restaurant. Throughout the years he and his beloved wife Maria were the proud owners of the Goderich Restaurant, Archie’s Snack Bar, and the Greek Village. It was truly a family endeavour. He was blessed to be an entrepreneur, living the immigrant's dream of opportunity, hard work, and success. The last few years were difficult for him. While dealing with his own health issues, he diligently put his energies into caring for his beloved Maria, wife of 57 years. Jim Bobotsis was a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Community and the Laconian Association of London. He loved cooking his favourite Greek dishes, spending time with his family as well as socializing with his friends at Masonville Mall and the possibility of one day winning big in the lottery. He had a passion for tending his vegetable garden and shared its bounty graciously with family and friends. Jim lived his life principled with strong character, work ethic, values and optimism. He personified "philotimo" in his daily life. He is survived by his loving wife Maria Bobotsis. He is also survived by his daughter Soula Bobotsis and his son Gus Bobotsis and his wife Lillian Bobotsis. He will be forever remembered by his granddaughter "koukla" (beautiful) Zoë Reign Bobotsis. Jim will be lovingly remembered as well by his surviving siblings and their families: George Bobotsis and his wife Maria Bobotsis of London, Nikki Koukoulomatis of Greece (husband Ntino, deceased) and John Bobotsis and his wife Matina Bobotsis of London. He is survived by many loving relatives including brother-in-law Nikitas Kokkoros and his wife Vasiliki Kokkoros of Greece, Martha Rigakos of Greece (husband Stelios, deceased), Elias Kokkoros and his wife Diamanto Kokkoros of Greece, Kostantinos Kokkoros and his wife Fani Kokkoros of London and Agis Kokkoros and his wife Georgia Kokkoros of Greece. He will be dearly missed by many nieces and nephews. Jim will always be remembered as a loving husband, a devoted father and adoring Pappou. He will also be remembered for his warm heart, loving smile, and the family man that he was. His family was his happiness. He was a precious man with a heart of gold and will be missed immeasurably. We love you Dad. You will always remain in our hearts forever. May God rest his soul and may his memory be Eternal. Funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 131 Southdale Rd. W., on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. officiated by Father Demetre Mouselimis. Interment will follow at Woodland Cemetery. Friends who wish may make memorial donations to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Logan Funeral Home, 519-433-6181, entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences at www.loganfh.ca Services: Service Date Wednesday, July 25, 2018 Service Time 1:00 p.m. Service Location Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 131 Southdale Rd. W., London, Ontario Burial Date Wednesday, July25, 2018 Burial Time Following Funeral Service Burial Location Woodland Cemetery London, Ontario Requested Charity Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church