Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Memorial Held for Cyclist Killed in Southwest Scarborough
An emotional memorial took place on Sunday afternoon to honour a 47-year-old cyclist who tragically lost his life after being struck by two drivers in southwest Scarborough. The collision occurred on Feb. 26 around 5:30 p.m. on St. Clair Avenue East, just west of Birchmount Road, leading to the victim’s untimely death shortly after being rushed to the hospital.
Gathering of Support
The memorial, described as moving and impactful by organizers, brought together dozens of cyclists, supporters, and advocates, alongside a few family members of the victim, identified as Bill (Vasilios) Petropoulos. Among those present was the installation of a ghost bike, painted white and adorned with flowers in memory of vulnerable road users who have lost their lives on Toronto’s streets.
A Personal Loss
Petropoulos, who had just left a funeral and was on his way to work at the time of the collision, was known to deliver food using his bike to vulnerable people in shelters, as acknowledged by the Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists group. Described as a humanitarian with a large family in Toronto, New York City, and Greece, Petropoulos leaves behind his parents, siblings, niece, and many other family members and friends.
Tributes and Reflections
Tributes from friends and acquaintances have poured in, portraying Petropoulos as a kind, helpful individual with a pure heart and gentle character. Mourners have highlighted his ability to light up a room with smiles and make work enjoyable, painting him as a phenomenal storyteller and a gift from God. His funeral, attended by over a thousand people, saw him laid to rest at Scarborough’s Pine Hills cemetery.
The tragic loss of Bill (Vasilios) Petropoulos has deeply impacted the cycling community and beyond, leaving a void that will be felt by all those who knew and loved him. As his memory lives on through the ghost bike memorial and the heartfelt tributes shared by those who knew him, may he rest in peace, forever remembered for his kindness and compassion.
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