Obituary of Emmanuel Andrew Constantinidis

April 9, 1935 – Tientsin, China

November 10, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Emmanuel (Mano) Andrew Constantinidis, beloved husband of Sheila O’Carroll Constantinidis (nee Slattery), of Calgary, AB, (and family listed below) passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at the age of 89 years.

Mano was a happy, outgoing, people-person who believed the world had only two types of people: friends he knew and friends he hadn’t met yet.

Mano was born in Tientsin, China, on April 9, 1935. He was an excellent student. At a young age, he was fluent in three languages, speaking Mandarin with his Amah, Greek at home, and English in grade school. In 1951, his family moved to Japan to escape Mao coming into power in China. The following year, at seventeen years old, Mano got a ticket on a boat for $60.00 and immigrated to Canada to attend University. He lived in Victoria, Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Sarnia, Stettler, and finally, Calgary, AB.

Mano graduated from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. (Double Major in Business and Psychology.)

Mano met the love of his life Sheila at UBC and the two were married on September 3, 1960.

Mano worked for the BC Forest Service while attending university and helped pay to bring his mother, father and sister from Japan to Canada. After graduation, Mano began his business career at Royal Trust and continued to work in the financial industry throughout his career, ending with the Royal Bank in Stettler, AB in 2003.

Mano will be most remembered for his commitment to God and his love of his family. He served as an Elder at the First Alliance Church in Calgary and was instrumental in starting their school, the Glenmore Christian Academy (GCA.) He served on that Board for many years. He was an active volunteer with numerous charitable organizations, the most memorable being Kiwanis.

Mano was an entertainer who loved playing the guitar and was especially well known for his impersonations of Elvis, which were in high demand at social gatherings. He was a playful practical joker and storyteller with a quick wit.

Mano had many memorable vacations, but the most memorable ones were his two trips to Greece, where he enjoyed spending time with his relatives and seeing his ancestral home.

Besides his loving wife, Mano is survived by his four children:

Andrew Constantinidis (Melody) of Calgary, AB, his grandson Emmanuel Constantinidis (Rachel), great-grandchildren, Genevieve and Elizabeth; granddaughter Alexandra Carlile (Chris), and grandson Nathanael Constantinidis.

Erin Barry (Brett) of Frederick, MD, USA, grandchildren, Lauren Mathews (Jake), great-grandchildren, Nonie and Ida; grandson Brooks Barry, and grandson Pierz Barry.

Maria Jamieson (Randy) of Calgary, AB, grandson Jesse Koshowski (Juhi Shah), granddaughter Tasia Cooper (Colin), great-granddaughter Scarlett, and granddaughter Malina Jamieson.

Tim Constantinidis (Amber) of Calgary, AB, and granddaughter Grace.

Mano is also survived by his sister Andree Karas (George) of Vancouver, BC, their children and grandchildren; his niece Patricia Murphy (Ross Wickware) of Calgary, and many beloved friends.

A Celebration of Mano's Life will be held at Okotoks Evangelical Free Church (28 Westland Rd, Okotoks, AB), on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Fireside Room at the church.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Constantinidis’ service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Mano’s family here.

In living memory of Mano Constantinidis, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 - 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.

Click Here to Sign the Digital Guest Book and Watch Mano's Funeral Service