George Roussakis
July 27, 1952 - August 9, 2025
My beautiful George passed away after a brief illness from a rare brain disorder at Freeport Hospital in Kitchener, at the age of 73.
Shortly after George and I met in 1984, through my landlord at the time, and George’s close friend, Mark Busch (1951 - 2011), I knew I had met my soulmate. George had a compassionate heart, a sharp wit and intelligence and offered a lending hand to those around him with gestures of kindness and honesty.
George was born in Athens, came to Canada with his parents, Basile Roussakis and Voula (nee Stratos) - both now deceased -and his brother, Gus, in 1957. They were one of the first early Greek families to settle in the Danforth area in Toronto. George shared loving memories he had growing up with his many cousins, uncles and aunts at picnics and special occasions. We also have had the honour of sharing special occasions, in recent years, with George’s beautiful extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews, their partners and children in the Danforth neighbourhood.
George will be forever cherished by our two goddaughters, Jessica and Brianna Busch, who adored their “Uncle George”, whom he had known since each of them were born. He will be also be greatly missed by Brianna’s partner and children, Zach Adie, Isidora and Isaac.
The bond that George and our nephew, Shaun Hodgins, forged will forever remain as a source of love and strength in Shaun’s heart and mind.
George was an accomplished jazz guitarist who loved to learn and practice concepts of music daily. He loved the sciences (he graduated with Honours in Biology at Wilfrid Laurier University in 1983) and literature and was a bit of a news junkie…loved to discuss politics and constantly advocated for the principals of democracy and social justice. He was seldom known to back down from voicing his opinion on any subject.
He lived his life with gusto - he loved to cook food, especially for good friends. He enjoyed the game of golf and sharing time with the lovely friends we golfed with regularly. He loved to work in our gardens and create new garden spaces. He loved art and had, in the past, created his own unique pieces of art that we can continue to enjoy.
Cremation has taken place. The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the wonderful staff at both the Acute Care Unit at Grand River’s main Kitchener hospital and the Freeport Paliative Care unit for their care and great compassion.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in George’s honour to: (Waterloo Regional Health Network, Kitchener Waterloo Division of KW Humane Society, Waterloo Regional Food Bank).
Messages and condolences can be left for the family in the comment box below.