Born in Giannitsa Greece, Dimitrios became a chemical engineer and came to Canada when he was a young man to pursue new opportunities in life. He was a loving husband, a good father, and always put his family first. His children best remember him for his love of science, sports, and the massive vegetable garden he tended to with them every year. Dimitrios passed on strong values to his two sons, including the importance of being a responsible person, investing the time and hard work to achieve goals and dreams in life, to respect others, and the importance of equality and dignity.

Professionally, he began as a laboratory assistant and later became a leader in the gypsum and wallboard industry. Some of his inventions helped transform the industry and Dimitrios was later known as the "person to call" if a plant was having complex production issues. He eventually consulted for wallboard production plants around the world.

He will be greatly missed, but his memory will live on through his family.

The Mitakidis family would also like to extend our thanks to family friends, neighbours, the paramedics and police officers that responded, and the Kopriva Funeral Home for all of their compassion, understanding, and helpfulness during this difficult time. Your big hearts are greatly appreciated.

There are brilliant and fiercely determined scientists and clinicians in Canada that are working tirelessly to improve health outcomes for those suffering from cardiovascular disease and cancer. Please consider making a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society ( https://www.cancer.ca ) or the Heart & Stroke Foundation ( https://www.heartandstroke.ca ) and help them do this important work. Thank you.