Charalambe "Bob" Stanidis

Charalambe/Haralambos (Bob) Stanidis passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 14, 2024 two months before his 96th birthday. Loving and devoted husband to Zoe for 64 years (predeceased 2018). Survived by his children: Anastasia/Ann (Dale), Constantin/Danny and Fanny. Also, survived by 6 grandchildren: David, Lisa (Dave), Sofia (Joe), Marina (Valerie), Adrianna (Anthony), Tomia (Patrick) and great-grandsons Dante and Leo.

Born February 11, 1929 in the village of Klidi in Northern Macedonia, Greece to Theodoros and Fani. He was predeceased by all his siblings: Dimitrios, Temiana, Lenna, Tena, Christina, Evdoxia, Pantelis, Stefanos (survived by Mary) and their spouses. Survived by 18 nieces and nephews in Canada, Greece and Australia and their families.

Our parents lived through WWII, the ravages of the Andarte/guerillas, and then the Greek Civil War (1946-1949). When drafted for his mandatory 2 year service in the Greek army, he was trained as a Commando and stationed in the Greek islands. Upon his return, he pursued Zoe in her village of Kelli and they married May 1, 1955 and had two children.

In Klidi, Bob and Zoe worked incredibly hard to feed their family of four and the household of 10. Dad was a farmer and also did any handy work for pay. He worked in the nearby coal mine for 13 years, riding his bicycle over the mountain to get there, while mom tended to the fields and livestock. They survived all these hardships and where doctors and medicine were scarce and expensive.

In March 1964, they immigrated to Canada and both worked in a meat factory. They purchased a home and were landlords to help pay the bills and had another daughter (Fanny). In 1969, dad developed a workplace illness, was hospitalized for 6 months, putting an incredible strain on mom to keep the house and feed the young family. Once recovered, he worked at McMaster Hospital Housekeeping for 25 years. His favourite job of all was grandfather (Dedo) and babysitting his grandchildren with mom (Baba). He loved sharing those memories!

Throughout their life, our parents were guided by their strong faith in God and the Orthodox church. Dad often said “God loves me because he gave me a long life”. He loved to joke and have a good laugh: joking “women, too much yapa yapa”, and “I changed my mind, I want to be young again”. Despite all his hardships, he had an amazing sense of gratitude, an acceptance of all the changes in his life, a love of his family and a wonderful sense of humour. Known for breaking out into a spontaneous song like his Bingo song, always followed with a big smile.

The family wishes to thank Dr Karen Chan and all the staff at Extendicare Hamilton for the excellent and compassionate care of our father at his “home” for 8 years, where he was loved for his good spirit and good humour.

Dad, we believe you are sitting together with your “dolly”, hand in hand, in heaven. May your memories be eternal. You are forever in our hearts.