Rappos StavrosRAPPOS, Stavros - Known to family and friends as “Gero” or “Stevie," passed away peacefully in the early morning of Monday August 13, 2018. He was 95 years old.

Stavros was one of three children born to Dimitra and Alexandros Rappos in the village of Vevi, Florina, Greece.

He lost his father at the age of 10. As the eldest son, Stavros took on many responsibilities as the new head of the family. He became a tradesman, specializing in making wagons necessary for farming and transportation in the village. He also spent years as a mechanic in the local coal mines. He then purchased a harvester to harvest wheat.

His tough childhood made him strong and resilient. He was nicknamed Gero as a young man, which is Greek for old man, because of the grey hair that appeared in his twenties.

Stavros married his sweetheart, Serafima Petsinis, in Vevi. As he would often say, he loved Serafima since he was a little boy.

The couple went through difficult times, losing three children all under the age of one. Soon after Antonios, Triada and Vickie were born.

Stavros moved to Toronto, Ontario in 1966 at the age of 44. Three months later, after he was settled, his family joined him in Canada.

While learning to speak English in a brand-new country, Stavros worked for Kentucky Fried Chicken where he quickly became assistant manager. He opened his own take-out restaurant, Mr. Burger, with his son-and-law. The business allowed him to successfully retire at the age of 60.

Stavros lost his beloved wife in October 2009 and had spent every day since, driving to the cemetery to visit and bring her a coffee (and sometimes an old-fashioned donut), no matter the weather. When his daughter in law passed away in 2015, he made sure to bring a tea along for her.

He was an independent man that has continued to drive, diligently studying for the senior’s driving test every 2 years since he turned 80, and most recently renewing his license in the spring of 2017 at the age of 94. Every day he watched his favorite shows that he and his wife used to watch together - Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune (which he called “Vanna”), the Young and the Restless and recently had picked up Walking Dead, calling the zombies “the funny people”. He loved scratching lottery tickets.

Up until the day Stavros passed, he was an extremely sharp, strong and passionate man. Before his daughters could convince him to go to the hospital, he smoked as many cigarettes as he could. When asked if he was trying to finish the pack he smiled and said, it was ok, he had lots more. And in true Stavros form, he lit up a cigarette as he was walking to the ambulance.

Stavros is survived by his three children and six grandchildren - Alex, Christina, Tania, Sarah, Victoria and Stephanie - and his ten great-grandchildren that meant the world to him - Taylor, Braeden Stavros, Aidan, Emily, Kyle, Aeryn, Olivia, Evan, Grace Serafima and Avery.

Papoulie you were the smartest, strongest and toughest man until the moment you left us. You will be greatly missed.

We love you.

Visitation will be held at Highland Funeral Home, Scarborough on August 15, 2018 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. The church service will take place at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 3840 Finch Avenue E., Toronto on August 16th at 10:00 AM. Interment at Scarborough.

TorontoObituaries.com

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