Louis Tsougrianis

TSOUGRIANIS, Louis – It is with great sadness that the family of Louis Tsougrianis announce his passing on August 6th, 2023 at the age of 83. Louis was born on October 4, 1939 in Nea Hora, Greece. Son to and predeceased by his parents, George and Irene Tsougrianis and an infant brother. He is survived by his loving daughter Erene and son George (Jennifer) Tsougrianis, his grandchildren Anna and Grace, as well as his sister Helen (George) Gannitsos, and brothers Gus (Joanne) Tsougrianis, and George (Lorna) Tsougrianis. He is also survived by several loving nieces, nephews and their children.

Louis grew up in Stolos, a small farming community in the mountains of Arcadia, Greece, surrounded by olive orchards, fruit trees and livestock.  Having lost his father at a very young age, Louis had to leave school at the age of 11 to work tirelessly to provide for and support his family. Work included maintaining their own farmland, including olive, fruit and nut trees, their livestock and bees. These items were bartered in the village for them to acquire other items they would need. As Louis grew older, he took on other work that that was available in the immediate area, usually involving manual labour and construction.

Louis eventually immigrated to Canada in February of 1966, arriving on a very cold, wintery day at the train station in Swift Current with a small suitcase of clothes and a few dollars in his pocket. Upon getting off the train and experiencing his first Canadian winter, he vowed he would stay “for only 6 months, then return back to Greece,” after making enough money to send home to support his family there. Louis started washing dishes at the Akropol, saving money to send home. During this time, he took the opportunity to have his brothers, his sister and mother join him in Canada, so they could all start a new life in Canada. The three brothers found an opportunity to go into business together to operate the Husky House restaurant for a few years where they developed their culinary skills, prior to owning and operating the K-Motel and family restaurant from 1978 to 2021.

Louis loved gardening, hunting, fishing, visiting farmer friends and having tailgate picnics in the field. These were some of his most memorable moments with friends, cousins and nephews. He also returned to beekeeping, which were skills he acquired as a child back home in Greece. He maintained his own beehives just outside of the city and loved to share this with family and friends.

Louis developed many friends and relationships with locals in the community by working at the restaurant and motel; as well as with hunters visiting Saskatchewan from out of country. Louis was a passionate storyteller who loved talking about “ta palya hronia” (the old days) over a coffee, a glass of wine or a rye and coke. Louis’ family was most important to him and he was very proud of his brothers and sister as well as his grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. His face lit up from hugs paired with greetings such as “Hi Yerro” or “Hi Papou.” He was quoted to say that his “kids” were the most important thing in his life.

We would like to extend our utmost gratitude to the staff of both the Meadows and Cypress House for our father’s care and well-being over the past two years. We would also like to sincerely acknowledge and thank friends and family who visited dad regularly, helped with and brought meals, prepared treats, shared a laugh and held his hand.

Funeral services will be held at the Lifegiving Font Greek Orthodox Church on Friday, August 11th, 2023 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations are made to the Dr. Noble Irwin Foundation online at www.drirwinfoundation.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Warren's Funeral Home.  For further information please call 1-306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606, or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members on the tribute wall.

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