Obituary of Very Reverend Theonas Laspakis

Very Reverend Theonas (Konstadinos) Laspakis went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 24, 2002, during a car accident in Grand Falls, New Brunswick. He was born on August 25, 1942 in Pireas, Greece. He served at The Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Saint John, New Brunswick, He is survived by his sisters, Anna Peramatzis, Marika Kroutis and Barbara Karakasti. He was predeceased by his mother, Maria Ypseilantou, and his father Stamatis Laspakis, both from Greece. Father Laspakis was ordained priest with a Doctorate Degree of Theology from the University of Athens. In 1976 previous to becoming a Priest, Father Laspakis enrolled as a Monk at the Saint Anastasia Monastery in Halkidiki, in Northern Greece. He was ordained as a Deacon in 1977 (while in the Monastery) and later the same year, was ordained into the Priesthood. In 1983, he achieved the title of Archimandrite. He moved to Montreal, Canada in 1985 where he served as a Priest at the Saint Dionisios Greek Orthodox Church for 15 years. In 1991 we had the honour of having Father Laspakis join us as our beloved Priest. During his tenure in our Church, father Theonas brought the Greek community closer to Orthodox ways. He was deeply loved by the elder and children alike. In addition to his priestly assignments, he also promoted gatherings of the congregation. Father Laspakis was our loving Priest who always had the best interest of Saint Nicholas Church and the community in mind. He was a very loving person who touched the lives of everyone he met with his joyful demeanor and loud laughter ! He left his mark in our community and will be deeply missed. A church service will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday, November 27 at the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, on Dorchester Street, Saint John, NB, with visitation to follow at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), between 6 PM and 9 PM on Wednesday. The burial will take place in Greece by his immediate family. www.brenansfh.com