He was a local legend.
Growing up in the Danforth area of Toronto where his family operated a restaurant, Louis Leousis had a proud Greek heritage and an upbringing which made him a true people-person. After meeting his wife, Beatrice, whose family owned The Caledonia Restaurant, the couple started a family in her small-town and in short time, decided to open their own restaurant.
It was in the mid-1950s that the Leousis' bought Caledonia's Cone Cottage Refreshments from the Richardson family. One day while looking out over the Grand River and watching a family picnicking under a tree, Louis turned to his wife and proclaimed the scene, "an Oasis!"- and so came the new name for their restaurant.
Many thousands of students from Caledonia High School, and locals from Caledonia, Cayuga, Hagersville, and Six Nations, along with visitors and passersby from throughout the province stopped by The Oasis Drive-In for a footlong hot dog and, whether they ordered it with their meal or not, some advice, memories, or a scolding by Lou.
His business expanded to include the concession booth at The Caledonia Arena for several years. He sponsored countless sports teams and supported innumerable local activities throughout Caledonia and Haldimand County.
As much as Louis was a businessman, he was also a family man. He was the proud father of Tom, Helen, and Chris- the latter taking over The Oasis in the early-1990s when Lou decided to retire.
Even after retirement, Lou was active in his community. He could often be found indulging in a footlong or some chicken fingers on the patio at the Oasis, continuing to catch the attention and pass on his wisdom to a new generation of customers.
He was proud of his family's accomplishments, and was elated to welcome four grandchildren, who fondly called him Papou following in the Greek tradition.
Lou was a dedicated parishioner at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Caledonia- and was proud to let others know that he had the first Greek-Anglican wedding in Caledonia.
He was also a decorated member of the Masons- participating in various activities for over 50 years and
serving as Past Master, Past Grand Steward and Past Grand Superintendent of the Royal Arch Masons.
Several years after the passing of his wife, Louis continued to live in their family homestead, a historic Caledonia home overlooking the Grand River and Kinsmen Park on Caithness St. W. In recent years, Louis made the hard decision to move to a retirement community in Hamilton.
He made regular visits to Caledonia and many enjoyed his company in local coffee-shops where he was nicknamed the 'Mayor of the Morning' because of his knack at taking-charge of any conversation.
It was at his retirement residence in Hamilton where he fell ill, and after several years in care at St. Peter's Hospice, Louis passed away on Friday, January 5, 2018 in his 93rd year. Friends and family said farewell at a service at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Caledonia on January 9th.
Though many will mourn his loss, it is comforting to know that he is reunited with Bea, the love of his life, and is now in the eternal care of God.
