Obituary of Mika Demetre (Jim) Delis

We knew this day was coming, but we hoped it never would. Surrounded by family, our father, Mika (Jim) Delis, passed away peacefully at home on June 6, just shy of his 95th birthday.

Mika was a devoted husband to Antonia, his wife of 62 years, and loving father of Marino (Niki) and Penny (Manish). He was a cherished Papou to Mika, George, Nia, and Zachary. He is predeceased by his parents, Marinos and Georgia, and his siblings, Angeliki, Penelope, Anastasios, Trifonas, and Adonis. He was a beloved, cherished, and respected brother, cousin, uncle, and friend to many.

Born in Tripoli, Greece, in 1931, he had such pride in his hometown and neighbourhood of Sehi. He could often be heard recounting stories of his youth in this picturesque, mountainous town in the Peloponnese. But his childhood was not without challenges. He lost his mother at the age of 7 and was raised by his sisters, Angeliki and Penelope.

By the time he turned 10, the Second World War broke out and, like most Greeks, he endured poverty and witnessed countless atrocities that brought a lifetime of tears to his eyes. At the age of 14, he began his apprenticeship as a tailor in a bustling shop in Sehi.

In 1952, he made the two-week crossing of the Atlantic and came to Canada to accompany his younger brother Adonis (Tony). Like most, he arrived in Canada with nothing but a suitcase and the will to survive. Jobs were not easy to come by, but his trade gave him an advantage. He approached the head tailor at Simpsons, an Italian gentleman who was reluctant to hire him because he couldn’t speak English. But when Mika spoke to him in Italian, a language he had picked up during the war, he was a

shoo-in.

It wasn’t until 1964 that he met the love of his life, Antonia, at a Greek dance held in the basement of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Quite the romantic, he wooed her with gifts and charm, and soon after, they were married. He was a devoted and loving husband. They worked together at Delis Tailoring for over 30 years. He could never be too far from his beloved Antonia.

Family was everything to him. He truly was the dad who gave his all: loving, nurturing, caring, and full of wisdom and sound advice. He taught us the importance of hard work, loyalty, generosity, and showing up for family. But his jewels were his four grandchildren. Nothing gave him more joy than spending time with Mika, George, Nia, and Zachary.

He was a philanthropist at heart, donating to countless charities. He was passionate about politics, world issues, and history. He loved music and could always be heard singing songs of his youth. But he was most known for his beautiful smile, kind eyes, and sense of humour. He was a prankster, witty, hilarious, always telling jokes. It gave him such joy to make people laugh.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, generosity, and devotion to family. He will be deeply missed by many.

We are so grateful to my parents’ neighbours on Hastings Drive who made it possible for him to live out the last years of his life in his home with our mother. The gestures of kindness are too great to mention.

Kalo Paradiso Dad.

Visitation will be held at Logan-Evans Funeral Home, 371 Dundas Street, London, Ontario (between Waterloo & Colborne St.), on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 from 6-8 p.m.

Prayers will be held in The Logan Chapel Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.

Funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 131 Southdale Rd. W., London, Ontario on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

Interment in Woodland Cemetery, London, Ontario.

Those who wish may make memorial donations

to the Canadian Red Cross or World Wildlife Fund Canada in memory of Jim.

Online condolences can be expressed at logan-evans.ca