I was fortunate 36 years ago to meet Nick Yacoumis and fall in love with him. Then I met his family and again I fell in love with them. When Nick's dad died last week I had the privilege to write and deliver his eulogy at his funerel. The day itself was a balmy sunny Autumn day . I was not sure whether I would make it through without breaking down so I had a couple of contingency plans ..one of them being Bethany our 8 year old grand daughter ,Peters great grand daughter who volunteered to read it. I somehow don't think she would have been able to do it as she was the most distressed of all the kids . As I stood up to walk to the lecturn I realised the enormity of what I was doing. There was a large attendance. As I looked up to start speaking, from some where I received a feeling of calm and peace and was able to talk and chat about Peters life on this earth. I was so proud of all the grandchildren as they were very respectful of the occasion. We are all going to miss him for a lot of different reasons but there is a little bit of him in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and his great,great grand daughter. Mostly, the man I married is the epitomy of his dad. What a legacy he has left to this world. The Funeral Director Mike commented to us on the day we organised his service and after the funeral what a great feeling he had helping us organise the celebration. Dad did not particularly like flowers so we brought Olive branches from his trees, some tomatoes from his garden and almonds from his trees that he had cracked. These were all placed on his coffin. We also had Chocolate frogs for all. He was named Grandpa Frog by Ella so she could decide which grandpa we were talking about. He was named that because he would give the grand children a chocolate frog when they came to visit. I have also posted a copy of the eulogy if you want to peruse.We are so happy Dad was home and independant until the end. Still driving, playing bingo and cards the week before he went into hospital. No wonder he had a smile on his face.
29/01/29 – 11/05/09
Monday, May 18, 2009
Dads Eulogy
Peter Yacoumis, let’s celebrate his life.
My name is Gabrielle and I have been married to Nick, Peter’s eldest son for 35 years. Dad was 80 in January and we celebrated with a surprise family gathering. There are a lot of people here that were at that celebration and were happy to share that time with him. 80 years is an incredible amount of years to live.
Dad started his life in Chios in 1929; he immigrated with his family in 1939 at the start of World War II. Not long ago we were talking with Dad of the sea voyage out to Australia from Athens. He said all the children had the run of the ship; they would help set the dining room tables and could have all the broken biscuits that were there, he said they became experts at breaking biscuits. During the voyage a German warship circled them and decided to let them pass, the next ship that left from Athens to Australia didn’t make it. It must have been an incredible time, as their mother travelled with her mother and his three brothers, Michael, John and Nick. His dad came out to Australia months earlier, they settled in Waymouth St Adelaide.
The family owned the Golden Sun bakery and delivered bread by horse and cart. Later when dad grew up, he met mum and courted her by riding his pushbike from Adelaide to Inman Valley (near Victor Harbour) to see her, that is a round trip of 170 kms. No gears on the bike in those days to get him up Willunga hill. They married in 1950 and had 4 children within 8 years - Marilyn, Nick, Dianne and David. They moved to Maylands later and that was about the time that Nick recalls their life. They then moved to Parafield living in a shed and working glasshouses, they put down foundations for their home and were told not to put up power lines because of low flying aircraft, and now of course it’s totally built up all through there.
So they moved to Rosewater and owned a mixed deli, Nick remembers early mornings going to the markets for produce. They then moved to Angle Vale in 1960, it was a long trip in those days in their 1929 Chevrolet with Uncle Mick and his Chevrolet truck – no sealed roads then. Again they had a market garden and glasshouses. They all moved in to the old farmhouse which is still standing today. Just. 4 adults and 7 children living together in the divided house. The funny thing is that we did the same thing with Nick’s brother David who married my sister, Julie, and their 2 children Paul and Lee, and our three children, Rachel, Nicole and Adam.
Dad was a hard worker and always seemed to have two jobs at once, always the glasshouses and travelling all the way to Chryslers at Tonsley Park, Jon fruits, Simpson Pope and Horwood Bagshaw for the afternoon shift. He developed a love of fishing with mum; they would pack tomatoes on weekend mornings, deliver to Virginia, visit mum’s parents and dad’s parents and then head off to the jetties. That is where Nick and David developed their love of fishing. We all used to go often, with the kids sleeping overnight on the jetties. How many fish did we all catch!? No wonder the oceans are fished out!
My first memory of dad was on a jetty, that was where I was introduced to them. I loved them immediately and always thought of them as mum and dad. After finishing his working life in his early 50s, they fished as often as possible, and would always be off to St Kilda or Pt Giles for a feed of mullet. Mum and dad loved their Bingo and would go several times a week. Marilyn said the funny thing is dad said they went too often, it cost too much money yet after mum died in 2003 he actually went more often. We never had a birthday celebration that would clash with bingo. He kept going to bingo, no matter what. The times he couldn’t go due to ill health, we would be sure to receive a phone call from concerned people that sat with him at bingo. The crowd from Bingo signed a get well card to dad when he was in hospital; one of the messages was from a 14 year old girl that adored him, as they all did. He was like that. That girl’s mother, Sue came to the hospital to drop off the card.
The girls at my work, where he came to visit, often bringing produce from his garden, all loved him too. It seems to me, after chatting to family and friends over the last few days, that he was loved and liked by all. He was a strict, but fair father and grandfather. Vanessa remembers ‘no eating or drinking in the lounge or while watching TV’ We all got together every Sunday for a BBQ or roast, we expanded to two big tables – grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins – always lots of food, followed by huge bowlfuls of ice-cream and stewed fruit from their trees. We will miss his produce, he managed still at the end to grow the best tomatoes (one of the last things he said was ‘don’t forget to water the tomato plants, and you can pick some too’) fantastic olives for that delicious olive oil and let’s not forget the almonds.
Several of the grandchildren have fond memories of sitting next to dad on the seat cracking almonds. When we picked fruit we were only allowed to take what we needed, we needed to leave some for ‘others’ even if the tree was overloaded. Nick said, and I quote ‘Dad was a beautiful person with never an angry word, except when they set fire to the thatched roof shed that housed the tractor etc’ after that they had to weed around the house for a long time. Nick said he never heard him swear, he didn’t complain about his health until the last few weeks. His arthritis worsened and interfered with his fishing, yet he went out fishing to St Kilda the week before he went in to hospital. In the last few months, as his doctor and hospital visits increased, everyone that treated him commented on what a lovely person he was.
We will remember the Greek picnics at Victor Harbour, Greek weddings, our holidays together, Guy Fawkes and bonfires. Nicole said ‘I can’t imagine how many candles on birthday cakes he witnessed being blown out’. We also will remember card nights, Canasta, Joker, Rummekin. He was still playing cards with John, Nick and Sally until he went to hospital. I am sure they will treasure those nights forever. I remember playing Canasta and joking around with Mum and Julie and being told off by dad for not concentrating or playing sensibly. We will remember picking olives, particularly last season, when we had a weekend with our family, their kids and Marilyn’s friends, and we will do that again this year for the last time. We will remember cracking almonds, crabbing at St Kilda. We will remember him in the corner reading a book, a newspaper, a magazine, anything and everywhere – even our kids Dolly magazines.
We will remember him sitting at the kitchen table, making cups of tea, serving us sultana cake and Arnotts cream biscuits. Someone sent me a text message saying he was an honourable man ... that he was. He achieved such a long life, with a fantastic no nonsense attitude to life, hard working ethics, healthy eating and lots of exercise. He was patient with his grandchildren, all 12 of them and then his 17 great-grandchildren, and also his great-great granddaughter, what an achievement. He was named Grandpa Frog by our grandchildren, because when they came to visit, he would give them a chocolate frog.
He managed to stay at home, right to the end, independent as always, thanks to David for watching over him. The great thing about living a long time is the sameness about that person and his life. That is what we will miss.
29/01/29 – 11/05/09
My name is Gabrielle and I have been married to Nick, Peter’s eldest son for 35 years. Dad was 80 in January and we celebrated with a surprise family gathering. There are a lot of people here that were at that celebration and were happy to share that time with him. 80 years is an incredible amount of years to live.
Dad started his life in Chios in 1929; he immigrated with his family in 1939 at the start of World War II. Not long ago we were talking with Dad of the sea voyage out to Australia from Athens. He said all the children had the run of the ship; they would help set the dining room tables and could have all the broken biscuits that were there, he said they became experts at breaking biscuits. During the voyage a German warship circled them and decided to let them pass, the next ship that left from Athens to Australia didn’t make it. It must have been an incredible time, as their mother travelled with her mother and his three brothers, Michael, John and Nick. His dad came out to Australia months earlier, they settled in Waymouth St Adelaide.
The family owned the Golden Sun bakery and delivered bread by horse and cart. Later when dad grew up, he met mum and courted her by riding his pushbike from Adelaide to Inman Valley (near Victor Harbour) to see her, that is a round trip of 170 kms. No gears on the bike in those days to get him up Willunga hill. They married in 1950 and had 4 children within 8 years - Marilyn, Nick, Dianne and David. They moved to Maylands later and that was about the time that Nick recalls their life. They then moved to Parafield living in a shed and working glasshouses, they put down foundations for their home and were told not to put up power lines because of low flying aircraft, and now of course it’s totally built up all through there.
So they moved to Rosewater and owned a mixed deli, Nick remembers early mornings going to the markets for produce. They then moved to Angle Vale in 1960, it was a long trip in those days in their 1929 Chevrolet with Uncle Mick and his Chevrolet truck – no sealed roads then. Again they had a market garden and glasshouses. They all moved in to the old farmhouse which is still standing today. Just. 4 adults and 7 children living together in the divided house. The funny thing is that we did the same thing with Nick’s brother David who married my sister, Julie, and their 2 children Paul and Lee, and our three children, Rachel, Nicole and Adam.
Dad was a hard worker and always seemed to have two jobs at once, always the glasshouses and travelling all the way to Chryslers at Tonsley Park, Jon fruits, Simpson Pope and Horwood Bagshaw for the afternoon shift. He developed a love of fishing with mum; they would pack tomatoes on weekend mornings, deliver to Virginia, visit mum’s parents and dad’s parents and then head off to the jetties. That is where Nick and David developed their love of fishing. We all used to go often, with the kids sleeping overnight on the jetties. How many fish did we all catch!? No wonder the oceans are fished out!
My first memory of dad was on a jetty, that was where I was introduced to them. I loved them immediately and always thought of them as mum and dad. After finishing his working life in his early 50s, they fished as often as possible, and would always be off to St Kilda or Pt Giles for a feed of mullet. Mum and dad loved their Bingo and would go several times a week. Marilyn said the funny thing is dad said they went too often, it cost too much money yet after mum died in 2003 he actually went more often. We never had a birthday celebration that would clash with bingo. He kept going to bingo, no matter what. The times he couldn’t go due to ill health, we would be sure to receive a phone call from concerned people that sat with him at bingo. The crowd from Bingo signed a get well card to dad when he was in hospital; one of the messages was from a 14 year old girl that adored him, as they all did. He was like that. That girl’s mother, Sue came to the hospital to drop off the card.
The girls at my work, where he came to visit, often bringing produce from his garden, all loved him too. It seems to me, after chatting to family and friends over the last few days, that he was loved and liked by all. He was a strict, but fair father and grandfather. Vanessa remembers ‘no eating or drinking in the lounge or while watching TV’ We all got together every Sunday for a BBQ or roast, we expanded to two big tables – grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins – always lots of food, followed by huge bowlfuls of ice-cream and stewed fruit from their trees. We will miss his produce, he managed still at the end to grow the best tomatoes (one of the last things he said was ‘don’t forget to water the tomato plants, and you can pick some too’) fantastic olives for that delicious olive oil and let’s not forget the almonds.
Several of the grandchildren have fond memories of sitting next to dad on the seat cracking almonds. When we picked fruit we were only allowed to take what we needed, we needed to leave some for ‘others’ even if the tree was overloaded. Nick said, and I quote ‘Dad was a beautiful person with never an angry word, except when they set fire to the thatched roof shed that housed the tractor etc’ after that they had to weed around the house for a long time. Nick said he never heard him swear, he didn’t complain about his health until the last few weeks. His arthritis worsened and interfered with his fishing, yet he went out fishing to St Kilda the week before he went in to hospital. In the last few months, as his doctor and hospital visits increased, everyone that treated him commented on what a lovely person he was.
We will remember the Greek picnics at Victor Harbour, Greek weddings, our holidays together, Guy Fawkes and bonfires. Nicole said ‘I can’t imagine how many candles on birthday cakes he witnessed being blown out’. We also will remember card nights, Canasta, Joker, Rummekin. He was still playing cards with John, Nick and Sally until he went to hospital. I am sure they will treasure those nights forever. I remember playing Canasta and joking around with Mum and Julie and being told off by dad for not concentrating or playing sensibly. We will remember picking olives, particularly last season, when we had a weekend with our family, their kids and Marilyn’s friends, and we will do that again this year for the last time. We will remember cracking almonds, crabbing at St Kilda. We will remember him in the corner reading a book, a newspaper, a magazine, anything and everywhere – even our kids Dolly magazines.
We will remember him sitting at the kitchen table, making cups of tea, serving us sultana cake and Arnotts cream biscuits. Someone sent me a text message saying he was an honourable man ... that he was. He achieved such a long life, with a fantastic no nonsense attitude to life, hard working ethics, healthy eating and lots of exercise. He was patient with his grandchildren, all 12 of them and then his 17 great-grandchildren, and also his great-great granddaughter, what an achievement. He was named Grandpa Frog by our grandchildren, because when they came to visit, he would give them a chocolate frog.
He managed to stay at home, right to the end, independent as always, thanks to David for watching over him. The great thing about living a long time is the sameness about that person and his life. That is what we will miss.
29/01/29 – 11/05/09
Monday, March 09, 2009
Japan ...here we come
Last week Nick booked a 4week adventure for the two of us to Japan. This will be to celebrate 35 years together on 23rd of March. We are leaving Australia on 19 th. May and returning on 17th. June. We havent travelled overseas for 2 years and boy do we have itchy feet. We managed to get a great special flying Jet Star from Gold Coast to Osaka and return for the both of us for only $880 including taxes... too good to pass up. We will be couch surfing and global free loading and hopefully staying with friends of people we know. So with 10 weeks to go we are so excited and are starting to plan ...that is sometimes the best part of travelling. Yahoo!!!! Bring on Tokyo, Kyoto for the Geishas, mountains, streams , gardens, crazy people , high tech gizmos, onsens, hiking,cycling, Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms if we are lucky and are prepared to go to the northernmost tip of Japan., There is so much to see and experience with such a differing culture and food it is soooo exciting. Can't wait
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Home coming Two weeks
The countdown is on. Two weeks to go . Thats 14 sleeps. It is so exciting for us back home. To think two years have gone in the blink of an eye. We are all going to want to see them as much as possible. For them it will be very overwhelming I am sure. To be faced with life again in the real world will be amazing. All I know is we can't wait and I am sure I am speaking for Evas parents and brother also. Roll on those two weeks for us...how selfish is that.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
photos
Ryan at the Book Week parade... impressed the principal she took his photo. It was a dare carried out with aplomb
Our new playground
Papas lovely pair of broccoli
Rachel and her "echidna" icecream cake
our new status symbol.. thanks guys for all your help with cementing and your strength
Ella is 6
Lucy is already one...how did that happen
Thanks guys for our Christmas present .We had a fantastic weekend in the hills
A trip to the circus...how lucky are we to be able to take the kids to the circus.
Christmas in July at the Yacht Club ...Sue [Evas mum] looks like she had too much mulled wine. She didn't. It was great to spend time with Chris as well
The whole family went to the Rec Centre for the Roller skating.
Papas lovely pair of broccoli
Rachel and her "echidna" icecream cake
our new status symbol.. thanks guys for all your help with cementing and your strengthElla is 6
Lucy is already one...how did that happen
Thanks guys for our Christmas present .We had a fantastic weekend in the hills
A trip to the circus...how lucky are we to be able to take the kids to the circus.
Christmas in July at the Yacht Club ...Sue [Evas mum] looks like she had too much mulled wine. She didn't. It was great to spend time with Chris as well
The whole family went to the Rec Centre for the Roller skating.
Home coming
Eva and Adam are coming home in 3 weeks. Yahoo! Yahoo! Yahoo! Poor old Rufus, he is need of a good brushing. Only Eva can do that, and it has been 2 years. They finally will get to meet their youngest niece Lucy who will be 15 months old then. Nicole can finally celebrate her 30th. She is about to turn 32 along with Adam who is also 30 now. So much has happened in the two years since they left to travel and work overseas. Because of blogger we have all managed to stay in touch and they have been able to see first hand their family changing and growing. The children have also seen many photos of them as well so they remember what they look like. Eva's parents will be hanging out to see them as will Chris her brother. Adam's sisters are so excited that they will get to see their brother and their sister in law again. It will be so weird for us to have them back in the fold. It will be even weirder for them to come home to this country after so long away. To come home to a normal life..I wonder if they will be off again soon. I know we would be if we had the chance. Either way if they are here for the long or the short term we welcome them back with so much joy. Can't wait for those hugs. They will miss Scotland and The George and they will be missed there as well I am sure, as they have worked and lived in the same place for nearly 2 years. But it is our turn. Come on those 3 weeks.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Our perfect grandchildren
Nick and I have just had the best evening out. We were invited to a school play..you might think ho hum.. it was fantastic. The Gawler East Primary are blessed to have a wonderful and talented Arts and Drama teacher. Somehow he pulled together a performance of some 240 kids for a very memorable play called A MidWinters dream. The music was haunting , the costumes extraordinary and the dance disciplines were so inspiring. These children were between 7 and I think 11 and 12. It was very emotional to see the the kids having a ball. Talk about teamwork . Bethany was a harlequin and was in one of the dance scenes. We were seated on the other side to where Bethany was performing so we couldn't see her personally. It was beautiful to watch and very colourful. Ryan was a principal drummer..yes drummer. Until the auditions he had never played before but was selected. he was seriously brilliant. Now I know we might be biased but I had many people come up to me at work today and after tonights event raving about his performance. They had three performances all up. It was fantastic to see his dedication. He really is a great and natural musician. He plays piano as well.Well done kids. It is late now . I will post some photos and video later.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Sophie is 3
Sophie is three going on 10. A very clever little person.She is very confident in some ways such as her language skills and her place in her family as the youngest of four. She is very frightened of animals particulary our dog Rufus ....who is very aged he is waiting for Adam and Eva to come home before he goes to dog heaven... and Nicoles' cat Harry. The other day she said she only likes Lump... their cat that died a couple of years ago. She is so cute as all the grandkids are. She had a prolonged birthday which was great for her. It is fantastic going out for dinner with everyone as we did for her birthday. The chidren are so well behaved. The older ones helping with the younger ones. They all adore Lucy...nearly one and about to walk .
Sunday, May 18, 2008
My baby
Well, the time has come. Nick and I no longer have any children in their twenties. On 19 th. May Adam is going to turn thirty. How did that happen? I remember so clearly his birth. I remember only the good bits.. The best good bit is the day he met Eva. Even though you are off on your travels, I hope our love is coming through to you loud and clear. Have a 'wee' dram on us on your birthday. We will celebrate when you return. Nicole still hasn't turned 30 yet. She is still waiting for you to come home. Happy Birthday to you. xxxx from Mum and Dad. See you soon.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Jekyll and Hyde
I found this gem from Bethany [7] written for Hannah[5] her sister. I don't think she gave it to her. Sometimes you shake your head in amazement at what comes out of kids heads not long after world war three was happening with the very same person. Love the blessing!Bethany is going through a very interesting time with me . She is testing me out constantly. Seeing how far she can push the boundaries. Very interesting times to say the least. It makes me think how it must be for grandparents taking on the parenting role full time. Maybe I need to go back to parenting school. Somehow I don't think much has changed since her Mum was her age. Never a dull moment. Love them all to bits. P.S. In case you can't read it . dear Hannah you are a good sister I bless you a fantastic life when you grow up. if you have any children I hope they are as helpful as you are. Love Bibby
Monday, March 31, 2008
Had to share this with you.
please don't dribble on me
Not sure what pearls of wisdom Ryan is passing on to Lucy
Not sure what pearls of wisdom Ryan is passing on to LucyToday I had a flat out day with grandkids and catering. I picked up Ryan, Bethany, Ella and Hannah from school and commenced to fly through the catering I had to deliver to Riverton. I was running an hour behind most of the day. I managed to cut up a pile of fruit for the kids and took it outside to the girls to see what they were up to. They had been coming in to ask some very odd questions . One of those questions was "What can we pick up a dead bird with?" and "We need some cardboard"They had been digging a hole with a garden trowel after they found a dead galah in the garden. They came in asking where they could find some flowers. I was intrigued but didn't have time to go see. Rachel came home to pick up the kids and went to see what was up in the back yard. She beckoned me to come and look. This is what we found.
The bird was buried in a very shallow grave. The cardboard was used for the headstone . The flowers surrounded the grave and a "lemon"?Ella was walking around pretending to cry. It was so funny. The weird things kids do to amuse themselves. But you know that it is great to have them here and making their own fun. i love them dearly. Meanwhile Ryan kept asking if we had any Harry potter movies or games. He has read the entire series in literally days. It was a priceless day. Charlotte is recovering nicely from her tonsilectomy and her adenoids removal. Lucy is very happy to be looked after by us now which is great. We treasure every moment. Thanks for the loan of your kids. 
The bird was buried in a very shallow grave. The cardboard was used for the headstone . The flowers surrounded the grave and a "lemon"?Ella was walking around pretending to cry. It was so funny. The weird things kids do to amuse themselves. But you know that it is great to have them here and making their own fun. i love them dearly. Meanwhile Ryan kept asking if we had any Harry potter movies or games. He has read the entire series in literally days. It was a priceless day. Charlotte is recovering nicely from her tonsilectomy and her adenoids removal. Lucy is very happy to be looked after by us now which is great. We treasure every moment. Thanks for the loan of your kids. HAPPY 5TH. BIRTHDAY HANNAH.
The time has come at last for Hannah. She turned 5 0n last friday. She has been at school since the start of the year, soI felt she was already 5. She is still a young 5 but is doing so well at school. She is reading and writing and is certainly keeping up with even the year one kids. She is a reception student. Last week the school had an open night we were able to go and visit the kids classes. We have 4 grandchildren at the same school so we had to get our skates on. We were able to meet the teachers properly and look at their school books. It blew me away how well they are all doing. They are all respected by their teachers. It is the same as when our kids were at school. The flash backs we were having were incredible. They were all proud to show off their work even Ryan our nearly 10 year old. It is a fantastic school. They are lucky to be able to be there. We are proud of our kids and their children they are a credit to the school community. it was a buzz.
Friday, March 21, 2008
End of the heat wave
It was Bethanys choice to have her 7th. birthday at our home. It was a glorious day. Sunny skies and only 22 degrees C today after suffering through 15 days of above 35. Thirteen days were above the old 100 degrees F. Rachel spent last weekend in Melbourne so we had the children for a few days, their Dad a couple and Nicole for odd nights and looking after Sophie for me. We had some unexpected visits to the hospital for my Dad to have some tests done.They are trying to find out what is wrong with his throat ,gullet etc. Long story . Hopefully it will have a good ending. It is unbelievable to think it is already Easter weekend. Eighteen months have flown by so fast since Adam and Eva have left to travel the world. We can't wait for them to return. it is hard to believe they havent met Lucy yet and she is already 9 months old. they will have the rest of thier life to get to know her.Lee and Paul have been gone a feww weeks already and are in Vietnam at the moment but soon to go to Japan.I can't imagine what julie is going through with both her kids gone for so long. We still manage every now and then to talk to Adam and/ or Eva every now and then. Thanks to Skype for the free calls. Happy Easter to all. Happy birthday to Bethany who is 7 but says she is 10.
Update of family photos
Lee and Pauls Farewell
Happy Families
Megs and Paul showing the dental work they had done. 
You would not have any idea how long it took to get everyone together in this photo
You would not have any idea how long it took to get everyone together in this photo
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