Obituary of Konstantinos (Gus) Sakellis

Peacefully in his 83rd year on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at Victoria Hospital surrounded by his loving wife of 51 years, Evangelia and sons George and Christos. Chef Gus began his career in 1940s on the Greek island of Rhodes learning to cook. He immigrated to Canada in 1957 and returned to Greece in 1962 where he met Eva, they were married and began a new life together in Canada. They settled down in London, Ontario in the late 1960's to start a new family. Chef Gus worked at London’s Iroquois Hotel and Auberge Corém where he continued his love of cooking. The 1970s blessed him with the birth of his first son George and his second son Christos. He owned and operated several local eateries including; The Z Café, Pier 7, and his beloved Stage Quality Food. He was a 2-time winner of The London Free Press Golden Plate Award and was featured in Air Canada’s Enroute magazine Best Places to Eat in Canada. His dedication to authentic Greek cuisine influenced him to volunteer his skills with Fanshawe College's Culinary Arts Festival and the Heart & Stroke Foundation’s Soup-er Hearty Luncheon. In 1997 Chef Gus suffered a stroke that confined him to a wheelchair. His Occupational Therapists at Parkwood Hospital inspired him to overcome the challenges of physical disability and he hosted several outdoor BBQs for the Veterans and Patients of Parkwood. Gus found the strength every year to travel and spend the summers under his lemon tree on the island of Rhodes with his family and friends. "Cooking is about more than nourishment, it’s about family, friends and community" Friends will be received at LOGAN FUNERAL HOME, 371 Dundas St. (between Waterloo & Colborne St.) on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Prayers will be held in the chapel at 8:30 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 131 Southdale Rd. W. on Monday, April 1, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. with Father Elias Drossos officiating. Interment to follow at Woodland Cemetery. Friends who wish may make memorial donations to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church or the London Regional Cancer Centre. The Sakellis family would like the thank the doctors and nurses of Victoria Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit and the support of our family physician(s) Dr. Catherine Walsh, Dr. Anne Souter and the staff of the London Family Health Team. Online condolences www.loganfh.ca A tree will be planted as a living memorial to Konstantinos Sakellis. Services: Service Date Monday, April 1, 2013