Dr. Harry Poulos

The family of Dr. Harry Poulos, Dartmouth, NS, sadly announces his passing on April 15, 2021, aged 94. Harry was a second generation Canadian born to Peter and Eleni Poulos. He grew up with younger brother Stratos (deceased). The family was part of the close-knit Greek community of Halifax, and the thriving business community on Gottingen Street beginning in 1926, when Harry’s father purchased the Fountain Tea Room.

Harry eventually stopped working at the family restaurant and went on to graduate from Dalhousie University, Faculty of Medicine, in 1951. He completed a residency in Psychiatry in 1955. Dr. Poulos was the medical director of the Nova Scotia Hospital for 20 years while maintaining a private clinical practice and working as an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University.

While training Harry met a wonderful nurse from the Valley named Esther Kirkpatrick. In 1954 they married and they had a long, happy life together, raising three children (Beth, Halifax; Peter, North Sydney; and Kirk, Dartmouth). Harry was also the beloved Papou of Graham, Eleni, Emily and Sophie. Beyond immediate family, he maintained close connections with cousins in Halifax, Montreal and Columbia, South Carolina.

Harry lived most of his life in Dartmouth, but with Esther he also explored the world. In addition to family and travel, he loved food, music and cars and Harry loved to hear people’s stories. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, and he frequently did - at the Sportsplex where he swam daily into his 80’s, at the Dartmouth Farmer’s Market where he was a Saturday regular, or at the local library branches where staff knew him by name and would set aside items they thought he’d enjoy. While in his early years Harry attended St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church of Halifax, which his father helped establish, he and Esther became regular attendees at Christ Church in Dartmouth.

The family is grateful for the compassionate care Harry received at Laurel’s Lake Residence, and wishes to thank Dr. Leone Steele for the attentive medical care she provided. A small family gathering will be held to celebrate the rich life of Harry Poulos.