On Saturday, June 3, 2017, Elias Anastasios Giannoulis passed away after a long but courageous battle with depression at the age of 22. Elias was born on December 5, 1994, in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. He was the youngest of three siblings. Elias was a natural athlete and excelled at every sport he played, including hockey, soccer and cross country. Elias was a defenceman in hockey and was selected by his coaches and teammates to be the captain of several of his teams. A quiet leader, Elias chose to lead by example rather than by words. Elias was the kind of player who would take the puck from one end of the ice to the other and instead of taking a shot on net, he would wait for another teammate to arrive and pass the puck to that teammate so that they could score a goal instead of him. He always had more assists than goals and it would be rare to see Elias ever put his stick in the air when he scored a goal. Elias took his defensive style from hockey and applied it to soccer. He would literally lie down on the field and block a soccer ball shot like he would a slapshot in hockey which always drew laughs from his teammates. One of Elias' favourite activities was running cross country. He won too many races to count but he was humble about it and would wait at the finish line to congratulate his competitors. Elias had a good sense of humour as he ran one race in a pair of Crocs and another in a pair of jeans and skateboard shoes. Running was a passion of Elias' so he decided to take it one step further and became a marathon runner. Elias ran several marathons and was a pro at them, just like everything else in life. Elias briefly attended the University of Saskatchewan but soon realized that university wasn't for him. Being the caring person that he was, Elias decided that he wanted to make a difference in people's lives so he enrolled in the Parkland College in Melville and successfully completed his diploma and become a Primary Care Paramedic. Elias did his practicum at WPD Ambulance in North Battleford and lived with Alex and Brooke while commuting the thirty minutes from Wilkie to North Battleford. Like everywhere else Elias went, he was loved and admired by his coworkers so it was no surprise when Elias was offered a job at WPD Ambulance and moved to North Battleford. Elias started as a casual employee but his hard work and love for others landed him a full time job which he was very proud of. Elias recently moved in with his girlfriend, Dellyn, who he loved dearly. They recently went to New York on a holiday and Elias loved it, but he said he wouldn't go back because it was a little too big of a city for him! Elias instantly fell in love with Dellyn's dog, Asher, who was a calming influence for him and provided a great level of therapy. Elias loved sending pictures of him and Asher hanging out in the backyard to his family members and friends, even posting a few on Facebook. Elias was the biggest fan of Trailer Park Boys, and he could literally say every line from every episode word for word. Elias had an electronic drum set that he loved to play on. Alex was overjoyed that Elias moved close to him, and took every available opportunity to drive to North Battleford to visit him, often going to Tim Horton's and Boston Pizza. Elias loved giving hugs, and would always tell Alex to hug properly every time he left from visiting! Elias struggled with depression for much of his life and he went to several calls as a paramedic that affected him. Elias was open with his family about his illness and sought help from others. Depression did not define who Elias was as a person and he tried his best to deal with the pain that most people could not see he was in. Elias was predeceased by his grandfathers, Stavros Giannoulis and Frank Biro, his grandmother, Doreen Mattison and his Golden Retriever friend, Jake. Elias will be lovingly remembered by his father, Peter Giannoulis; his mother, Darla Giannoulis and her fiancé, Greg Ulmer; his brothers, Zachary and Alexandros (Brooke) Giannoulis; his girlfriend, Dellyn Winterhalt; his four-legged friend, Asher; his grandmothers, Kalliopi Giannoulis and Margaret Biro; his uncles, Lambros Yannoulis and Tracey Biro; his aunties, Della Yannoulis and Darlene Biro Pedersen; and his cousins, Kelly, Steven, Michael, Jamie, Stavros, Poppy, Nathan and Caleb, as well as several cousins and family members. The Hull family was a second family to Elias, and he will be lovingly remembered by Carey, Cara, Jacey and Bretten Hull, and Russel "Papa" Holth. Elias' teammates, friends and coworkers will miss him dearly. Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 from St. Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church in Yorkton, Saskatchewan with Father Spyridon Vandoros and Father Rodion Luciuk officiating. A Celebration of Elias' Life was held on Thursday, June 8, 2017 from the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton with Kathy Novak officiating. Words of tribute and eulogy were shared by his brothers, Alexandros and Zachary, his girlfriend, Dellyn and by many of his teachers, coaches and friends. Special music was shared by Jackie Guy, Scott Hoffort, Savannah Guy and Kristen Jonassen who sang, "Why?", "Go Rest High on That Mountain" and "Till I See You Again". A Guard of Honour was made up of friends from WPD Ambulance in North Battleford as well as other First Responders. The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery officiated by Father Spyridon Vandoros and Father Rodion Luciuk. The pallbearers were Elias' brothers, Zachary Giannoulis and Alexandros Giannoulis, his cousins, Nathan Biro and Caleb Biro, and his friends Bretten Hull, Lyndon Shea and Spencer Tetreault. Friends so wishing may make a donation in Elias' memory to Wounded Warriors Canada which provides mental health programs and services to first responders and their families. The family would like to thank the Risling, Flett and WPD Ambulance families for their much needed support. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
