Ioannis
Polyrakis
1950 - 2026
On Monday, September 21st, 2026, our beloved Ioannis (John) Polyrakis, passed away peacefully as he slept. His final days were always filled with family and love, an immeasurable amount of love. He said he had no regrets; that if he could live his life over again, he would not change a single thing. A life well-lived. We think this gave him a sense of peace during the final stage of his life and it is a source of comfort to us during this difficult time.
Ioannis was born in Chania, Crete, in 1950. He immigrated with his parents and brother to Canada when he was a teenager to join his sister who was already there. Like most of our parents and grandparents, they threw themselves into work to build something from nothing but always longed to return home one day.
In 1972, he married the love of his life, Martha Skoulikas. Two young people full of love, hope and dreams. They went on to have seven children, one of them born with special needs. Their house was filled with love. Ioannis was a Cretan man who took pride in his heritage and taught his children the true meaning of philotimo. He taught us to help people in need without expecting anything in return. He taught us to treat everyone with respect. He taught us to open our homes to our family and friends. He modelled for his kids how to be a firm but fair parent, a loving spouse, a good neighbour, a true friend. We have never to this day met anyone who had an unkind word to say about our father. That is why today, we carry our family name with respect and pride.
Ioannis' home was always a place of gathering, laughing, eating and dancing. Not only were we surrounded by our aunts, uncles, and cousins but because of our father's hospitality, today our family circle extends to koumbaroi, neighbours, family friends and their children. Ioannis saw every single one of these people as his family. Their joys were his joys and their sorrows were his sorrows.
At the centre of Ioannis' life there was always one thing: family. He loved his children and he adored and was adored by his eleven grandchildren. During his final moments, he expressed how proud he was of each and every one of them and promised to watch over them and be there with them during all of their milestone moments. He has already kept that promise, as his presence is strongly felt during this time of grief.
His love of children extended beyond his own, especially when it came to child hunger. The idea that a child might be growing up in a home where there is not enough to eat was very troubling to him. Many people left Greece for that reason, in search of a better life and to be able to put food on the table for their families. Children having enough food in their homes and in their bellies was very important to Ioannis. So much so that prior to his passing, he asked his family to make yearly donations in his honour to charities that provide meals to children in need.
This is why instead of flowers, the family is asking anyone who would like to honour Ioannis' life and legacy to make a donation to the Breakfast Club of Canada, using the following link:
https://club-des-petits-dejeuners-breakfast-club-of-canada.fundkyapp.com/en/in-memory-of-john-polirakis/give
For those wishing to bid Ioannis a final farewell and to pay their respects to the family, the funeral will be held on Thursday, September 24th, 2026 at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 4865 chemin du Souvenir, Laval, at 1 p.m. Please note that following the interment, coffee will be served at the church.
To all the family and friends who have reached out with messages of condolences, we thank you and ask you to remember our beloved Ioannis Polyrakis fondly, to share your memories with us as a way to commemorate him, and most importantly to please say a prayer for his soul.
