Stamate Iliescu

Stamate Iliescu At the grand age of 101, Stamate (Stammy) passed away peacefully, with his beloved Rowena (daughter), Yuko (daughter-in-law), and Arthur (grandson) by his side at home in Toronto, on March 30th, 2025. Stamate was born on March 25, 1924 in Berbesti, a small town in Romania. He was predeceased by two brothers, Ion Vasile (Basil) and Mihai, and three sisters, Theodorica, Annetta, and Paulina. Remembered with tremendous esteem and fondness by many wonderful nephews and great nephews, nieces and great nieces, with whom he visited well into his nineties, and continued regular calls in his native language right until the end, especially with Ion and Mihai and Bogdan. In addition, he maintained regular contact with longtime friends, Cornelia (Theodorescu), and Marion Rosculete. Stamate immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1957 to start a new life and family and business, Incorporated Building Services, Ltd. He was proud of being an honest businessman, with high standards, and a good and fair employer. He embraced cottage life, and one particular red maple tree. For a time he went back to his roots and owned a farm, but the city always drew him back. He lived at OWN Housing Co-op on The Esplanade, Toronto for the last 27 years of his life, and delighted in the sense of community there and the many friends and neighbours with whom he could have a coffee and a chat or a game of chess. He took pleasure in the parks, old buildings and the local Market, where he sometimes took his chessboard and played with random strangers, right up until his 100th year. His greatest pleasure was playing chess with Arthur and Yuko, and the companionship of the boxer dog, Loki. In Canada, Stamate is survived by Rowena (Row), the daughter of his second wife, Mary (Reeves), and his beloved grandson Arthur, whose father, Michael (Yuko Murakami), predeceased him, and by step-son Michael, the son of third wife, Joanna, and his daughter Caitlyn. His children by his first wife, Joy, are Annetta (Cooper), Angela (deceased), and Mandy (Jenkins), and his grandchildren Tara, Natalie, Chloe and Jody, and great-grandson, George, who live in England and Wales and he was always pleased to learn of their doings. He loved to make people laugh and always had a joke ready. He kept up with the news of the world and enjoyed discussions, especially sharing his Churchilliana, as Stamate was a huge fan of Winston Churchill and loved to quote him. Stamate will be remembered by his family and friends as strong-willed, caring, hard-working, funny, courteous, friendly, intelligent, and sharp-witted, right to the last. We will especially miss his shared wisdoms, kindness to children and animals, and appreciation of good food, nature, beautiful craftsmanship and antiquities. A Celebration of Stamate's life to come. Please contact Row at dogmooky@gmail.com for more information.

Stamate Iliescu

March 30, 2025