TOURGELIS, Elia “Louis”

TOURGELIS, Elias (Louis) January 17, 1938 – June 3, 2024 It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our father, grandfather (Pappou), and great-grandfather, Elias “Louis” Tourgelis, on Monday, June 3, 2024, at the age of 86 in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Louis was born on January 17, 1938, in Paradisi, Korinthias, to Nikolas and Vasiliki Tourgelis, the youngest of seven children. In 1961, at the age of 23, he decided to join his sister, Kassiani, embarking on a new life in Calgary, Alberta.
Two and a half years later, he brought his fiancée Katina to Canada, and they were married in 1964. They had two daughters, Kiki and Dina. They stayed in Calgary until 1968 and then moved their young family to Lethbridge, Alberta, to open their first restaurant, Top Pizza & Spaghetti House.
Over the years, he brought many family members over from Greece and helped them start new lives in Canada. His generosity to his family, friends and to helping his beloved village in restoring the churches will never be forgotten.
He loved being around his friends, his “Parea” His happy place was Duck Lake, Montana. Many weekends, he would bring his friends for fishing trips there, and every fall, they would gather in Lethbridge to go pheasant hunting. He also loved supporting the St. Demetrios Greek Community in Calgary.
Louis is survived by his daughters, Kiki (Anastassios) Alepoudeas and Dina (Joseph) Bahhadi; grandchildren Haralabos (Petia), Stavroula, Joseph, and Elea; and a great-grandson, Anastassios. He is predeceased by his parents, siblings, and his loving wife, Katina (Kathy), of 52 years.
We would like to give our deepest thanks to Diza Jaranillo for taking great care of our father over the past five years. and our heartfelt thanks to our cousin, Angela D’Agnone, for being by his side when we couldn’t be.
Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers on Wednesday, June 12, at 7:00 pm at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. Funeral services will be Thursday, June 13, at 1:00 pm at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, (1 Tamarac Cres SW, Calgary, AB), with Father Thomas Sandberg officiating. Interment will follow at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens. Photos, memories and condolences may be shared with Louis’ family through www.evanjstrong.com.