Saviour FR Feb zifoe pr George Patsios remembered as dedicated member of community of Belleville YMCA dies in Greece By Chris Malette THE INTELLIGENCER Belleville Family YMCA — and been hailed as the architect of a plan that ensured the future of the The man credited with saving the Belleville YMCA from certain closure has died. George Patsios, who was born in Patras, Greece, and emigrated to Canada in the 1960s, died in his native Greece Monday with wife, Maria, and his ae aly at his side. He had been in failing health for the past two years and was unable to travel back to Canada to access treatment here in the last year of his life. Mr. Patsios had served for a number of years in the 1980s and 1990s as executive director of the Belleville Y — then known as the agency and haat the organization ‘from bankrupt _ “He would be there Ta mid- many nights doing whatever it took to keep that place afloat,” recalled Mr. Patsios’ friend and for- mer YMCA Elite a board preaeny Hugh Camy L paceeree 's be and hat work there are a lot of people who can now enjoy what the Y has to offer in this community for years to come. He has certainly left a legacy in this community.” Mr. Patsios had been a long-time director of the YMCA in Hamilton, prior to accepting his appointment to the YMCA here, and quickly embraced many aspects of his new community. as active in the Gi lox Church family in Belleville, serving as the president of the Greek commu- nity for a num- of years. He was also . Rotary Club of foe Belleville and ance was president of the Belleville Club. It was in Mr. Patsios’ term as president of the Belleville Club that the decades old former gentle- man’s club enjoyed a ene of membership and acti jim Downer, a friend of Mr. Pat- Sloe a and former manager who dealt extensively with the YMCA, said Mr. Patsios’ failing health, in recent years, were likely emotion- ally difficult for the former Eee and highly active individu: He used a sports iaecn to recall Mr. Patsios’ enthusiastic involvement in community ‘aisers and charitable activi- Another friend, former mayor! George Zegouras, said he was chat- ting to fellow Rotarians about Mr. Patsios Monday, only to return to wore shortly after lunch and hear ws of Mr. Patsios’ death from Gee from Maria Patsios. “He was a great friend and out- standing citizen in this communi- ty,” said Zegouras. “Although he has been gone from here for a few years, he will be greatly missed by all who knew in Belleville and the many peo- ple eos lives he touched in George was the kind of guy who wouldn’t have been happy to be on the bench,” said Downer. “He would have Wanted. to be on the field all the tim Mr. Datelbes is survived by three children, Anna-Maria, raat and Demetrios, and his wife, Mari Funeral is Wednesday in Mie Greece.