Obituary of John Gettas

John Nicholas Gettas of Kitchener, Ontario (formerly of London, Ontario ) died peacefully, in his 94th year, at the Grand River Hospital, Freeport Campus, on Sunday, March 5, 2017. He was predeceased by his first wife of 38 years, Anastasia (Tasula) Gettas and is survived by his spouse of 25 years, Filis (Erifili) Gettas. He is also survived by his daughter, Mrs. Vivian Asimacopoulos and her husband Dr. P.J. Asimacopoulos of Athens, Greece and their children: Eleni, Anastasia, and John; and by his son, Dr. Nick Gettas and his wife Dianna, of Richmond, Virginia, USA and their children: Anastasia Ashikis and her husband John Ashikis, John and Mary; and by Konstantina Bielby and her husband John Bielby of Wyoming, Ontario and their children: Felicia and Tristan. John will be lovingly remembered as well by his surviving siblings and their families: Mr. George Faclaris of Kitchener/Waterloo (wife Triandafili, deceased); Mrs. Letsa Baffes and her husband Mr. Gus Baffes of St. Thomas; Mrs. Vivian Faclaris, wife of his pre-deceased brother Peter Faclaris of Kitchener/Waterloo, and his brother Mr. Aleck Faclaris of Kitchener/Waterloo. John was born in Psylli Vrysi (Manessi), Arkadia, Greece on January 20, 1924 and emigrated to Canada in 1952. He and his family resided first in St.Thomas and subsequently in London. John Gettas was one of the pioneering Greeks in the Southwestern Ontario region. He began his work experience in his Uncles’s restaurant (Gettas Restaurant, St. Thomas) and followed up in 1955, with ownership of the Elgin Dairy Bar, later the Elgin Restaurant, in partnership with his brother Peter Faclaris, in St.Thomas. He and his family moved to London in 1961 where he established The Gettas Restaurant on Dundas Street and later air catering and food services at the London Airport and the London Airport Restaurant. Whether John was addressed as Dad, Brother, or Uncle (Barba in Greek), the speaker uttered John Gettas' name with respect and fondness. He was known as a man of his word, honest as the day was long, hard-working and tenacious. He represented all the honourable qualities of Greeks and Greece and quickly assimilated into his new country, Canada, which he adored. He was a model citizen, always willing to help any person who reached out to him and even to those who did not. He sponsored many relatives in their journey to immigrate to Canada. He valued education and made sure his children pursued their dreams. He could make a person tow a hard line, but not one he didn't tow himself. He believed in God, Church and family and supported those values to the end, serving on his Church’s Board for many years. He was a pillar of the Greek Orthodox Community of London, Ontario, from the day of his arrival in Canada. John, "of Morea", may be no more of this world, but his legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, extended family and many friends. We will always remember his sense of humour and his incredible voice echoing the songs of Kolokotroni. Special thanks to the Nurses, Doctors and Staff of Freeport Campus, Grand River Hospital for their compassionate care. Friends will be received at LOGAN FUNERAL HOME, 371 Dundas St. (between Waterloo and Colborne St.), London, Ontario, on Thursday, Mar 09, 2017, from 7- 9 p.m. TrisAgion Prayers will be held in the chapel on March 09 at 8 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 131 Southdale Rd. W., London, Ontario, on Friday March 10, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Father Elias Drossos. Interment will be Woodland Cemetery. Friends who wish may make memorial donations to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, London, Ontario, in lieu of flowers. Online condolences can be expressed at www.loganfh.ca . May God rest his soul and may his memory be Eternal. May those who knew him, live to remember him. Services: Service Date Friday, March 10, 2017 Service Time 11:00 a.m. Service Location Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 131 Southdale Road W., London, Ontario Visitation Thursday, March 9, 2017 Visitation Time 7:00-9:00 Prayers at 8pm Visitation Location Logan Funeral Home, 371 Dundas Street, London, Ontario (between Waterloo and Colborne) Burial Date Friday, March 10, 2017 Burial Location Woodland Cemetery, London, Ontario Requested Charity Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church