Table of Contents
Navigate to another page from here by clicking on a letter. Each letter is the first letter in a person’s LAST name.
C…
acry”Carastathis (née Gonari), Tina
? – 2021
Aris, Joanna, Alex and family are saddened to announce that Tina passed away in Thunder Bay on July 13, 2021 with family at her side. As per Tina’s wishes, cremation and private interment have taken place. Tina will be dearly missed by her family and friends in Thunder Bay, Saskatoon, and Greece, including her brother Laki (Marija) Gonari, nephews Theo, Alexei, Chris, Stefan, Michael, and their families.
Source: Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, July 17, 2021, p. B10; ancestry.ca
Chinakos, (née Mirras), Katherine
1925 – 2010
Obituary/biography is not available.
Chitsas, George Peter
Circa 1879 – 1949
George Chitsas was born in Greece in 1879. He came to Canada in 1905. He owned businesses in several communities, including a bakery in Rosetown and a partnership interest in the St. James Café in Edmonton. In 1926, the St. James Café went into bankruptcy.
In 1928, he and George Karabelis bought the Commerical Café, located at 118 – 20th Street West in Saskatoon. They operated this Café as a partnership until Mr. Chitsas’ death in 1949. Mr. Karabelis continued operating the café until 1962.
At the time of his death, George Chitsas was survived by his brother, Jimmy (Saskatoon), and other relatives in Greece.
Researched by Ken Pontikes, May 27, 2023
Sources: Saskatoon Daily Star, October 9, 1917, p. 14; Edmonton Journal, April 20, 1925, p. 17; Edmonton Journal, September 3, 1926, p. 20; Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, October 6, 1949, p. 3.
Chitsas, James
James and George were restauranteurs together in Edmonton – before 1928 when George moved to Saskatoon. When George died, James was identified as living in Saskatoon.
Chronis, George
1894 – 1929
Greek places of business in this city were closed from 2 to 4 o’clock this afternoon during the funeral of George Chronis, late proprietor of the Princess Confectionery, 143 Seccnd Avenue, North, who was found dead early Wednesday morning.
The service was held at McKague’s chapel at 2 o’clock, Rev. Canon W. L. Armitage, of St. John’s Anglican Cathedral, officiating. Efforts to secure the services of the Greek Orthodox archbishop at Winnipeg proved unsuccessful.
Members of the Greek colony, their compatriots from various points in the province and other friends attended the last rites for Chronis who was held in high regard, and was widely known.
Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, November 8, 1929, p. 3.
Chrones (née Arvandinis), Helen
Circa 1900 – 1963
Mrs. Helen Chrones wife of J. (Jimmy) P. Chrones, 306 Saskatchewan Crescent East, died in hospital here this morning after a lengthy illness. Mrs. Chrones, who was 63, came to Canada from Astros, Greece in 1923, settling at Weyburn. She came to Saskatoon in 1929 and had lived here since that time.
She was a past president of the Daughters of Penelope and attended the Anglican Church.
She is survived by her husband, two sons, James, New York, and Jack, Saskatoon, and by a daughter Dr. Katherine Metrakos, Montreal. Three brothers Don and Peter, Vancouver, and Connie, Saskatoon, also survive. There are nine grandchildren.
Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, October 29, 1963, p. 3.
Chrones, James Peter
1898 – 1981
The death of James Peter (Jim) Chrones, age 84 years. of 306 Saskatchewan Crescent East, Saskatoon occurred in a local hospital on March 4th, 1981. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 7th. at 1:30 p.m. from St. John’s Cathedral, 816 Spadina Crescent East and will be conducted by Very Rev. R.A. Wood and Rev. Nicolou. McKague’s Funeral Home will be in charge.
Surviving are: one daughter, Dr. Katherine Metrakos, of Montreal, Quebec; two sons, Jim Chrones. Jr., of Toronto, Ontario, and Jack Chrones, of Saskatoon; nine grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. Mr. Chrones was predeceased by his wife Helen in 1963 and by two brothers Louis in 1964 and Leonidas in 1967 and by a sister Constantina in 1979 in Greece.
Mr. Chrones was born in Greece. He immigrated to Canada in 1910 and resided in this country until 1923 when he returned to Greece. He married his late wife. Helen, in Greece and returned to Canada to reside in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. In 1930, Mr. Chrones moved to Saskatoon and operated the Gem Cafe on Second Avenue until 1972.
Mr. Chrones was decorated after World War Two by The King of Greece for his War Relief efforts. He was a member and the Past President of the Ahepa Club, a member of the A.F. and A.M., the Shriners, the Oddfellows, the Elks Club. and the St. John Ambulance Society and was a life member of the Saskatoon Horticultural Society. Interment will be made in the family plot in the Woodlawn Cemetery.
Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, March 6, 1981, p. 47.
A Tribute to James P. Chrones
On my return to Saskatoon. I was shocked when I heard of Jim Chrones’ passing. He was a loyal friend, and his thoughtfulness and kind ways endeared him to many. including myself.
So, I record some images of one who gave so much in service during his long life to his new homeland, more than half of a century in Saskatoon.
At a luncheon with [Jim’s son] Jack in the cafe he has built, John’s Prime Rib House, I listened to a full recital of his father’s life and times from the son who is carrying on the family tradition of awareness and support of this community and its institutions.
The old boy had a lot of guts. When he was 12 years old, he left his native Greece because even then he could see no opportunity for himself in the rock-pile village of Kastri where he was born on August 30, 1898.
He was drawn to the cafe business as a young lad, mainly because the restaurants were run by immigrants from Greece. Those Greeks understood the boy as he understood them in a world where the English language was foreign to him.
There was an old saying: when Greek meets Greek, they start a restaurant. In Jimmy Chrones’ case, when Greek boy met Greek man, the boy learned all he could about the fascinating world of feeding hungry men, women, and children.
Eventually, he was ready to set public tables, and in 1930 he established the first Gem Cafe in Saskatoon, where the A-Four is located at 213 Second Ave. South. Thenceforth, Chrones and later Chrones & Son built bigger and better eating places.
In December 1959, the Chrones opened the first dining room and cocktail lounge in Saskatoon. It was the first house to serve liquor with meals in accordance with changes in provincial liquor laws. Not since the pre-temperance era more than a half century earlier was liquor served in dining rooms and cafes. Now in 1981, it is almost beyond understanding that Saskatoon suffered so long from such an inhuman archaic hangover of Bible Belt drouth.
Appropriately enough, Jack Chrones noted, the first men served personally by Jim Chrones at his shiny new bar were Eric Knowles and Phil Wade. Those two pioneer newspapermen symbolized the long association which linked members of the Star-Phoenix and the Gem Cafe owners and staff in a long, happy friendship. At the Elite Cafe, a few doors down the street, Jim. Sam, and Bill Girgulis enjoyed a similar virtual partnership in helping to get the newspaper on the street.
Steve Leakos and his son, Spero, the baseball tycoon, were hosts to the sports writers. At times, that was not always a profitable venture, but at their Commodore Cafe nobody was keeping that kind of score anyway.
Jim Chrones’ generosity was a byword. In the doleful 1930s, he served a continuous stream of young men from a soup kitchen operation at the rear of the Gem. Those young fellows were victims of the Great Depression.
During the war years, he collected money for cigarettes for those in the services. For every dollar collected, he added another of his own for that cause.
So popular was The Gem during wartime that the buses would leave from the front of Chrones’ cafe instead of the bus depot, bound for Dundurn military camp.
“All military personnel frequented Dad’s place, and so it became the departure point for camp,” Jack told me.
How Jim Chrones delivered Sunday dinner to one of Saskatoon’s distinguished pioneers for many years is part of the better-known folklore of this community. Every Sunday he packed a dinner for Mrs. Diefenbaker, a patient at the University Hospital. She was the mother of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and Elmer Diefenbaker.
Then came the day when the prime minister invited Jimmy Chrones and his wife, Helen, to dinner in Ottawa.
Jack recalled that he summoned his dad to the phone to speak to the prime minister.
The prime minister? “Well, you listen in on the extension.”
Mr. Diefenbaker invited the Chrones parents to dinner.
“I’ll let you know,” the elder Chrones said.
Jack hung up the extension phone, rushed to his dad in panic and said, “Dad. you don’t say you’ll let the prime minister know. You say yes, thanks a lot, and say it right now.”
The father obeyed.
In retrospect, Jack laughs at the incident now.
For Jim and Helen Chrones, the Diefenbaker dinner party was enhanced by the presence of Premier Konstantin Karamanlis of Greece. He honored Jim for his part in supporting Greek relief funds. Karamanlis, leader of the National Radical Union (Conservative), continues as the country’s head to this day.
Among other mementos in the family is a Christmas greeting received in 1943 from Canadians in Montgomery’s Eighth Army in Egypt. Among prized recollections is the memory of the veteran who repaid a loan in 1971-72, 30 years after Jim Chrones made the loan a gift.
The old sweat said: “I want to pay your dad back. He loaned me $20 when I was in Dundurn camp, and would you please give it to him. Jimmy was hospitalized at that time.
He was a strong supporter of education, providing a bursary to the University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon campus) in Centennial Year, the bursary earmarked for award annually to a student in the college of engineering.
Jack’s brother, Jim, is a graduate in engineering, a consideration in marking a bursary for that school. In addition, former president John W.T. Spinks and the elder Chrones were very close friends. A scholarship is awarded to a student in the college of law and college of commerce each year. All these enterprises are endorsed and underwritten on a basis of perpetuity by Jack Chrones
A horticultural enthusiast, Mr. Chrones donated the Jim Chrones Trophy for the best landscaped garden in Saskatoon. This award is being continued by his son. In sports. Chrones touched many bases, fielding the Gem’s hardball club in 1934 with Ossie Jones and Curly Reeves among the stars; he sponsored the Delisle Gems (plus the talented Bentleys) in the early 1950s, and the Saskatoon Gems in 1955 and 1956 under Ralph Mabee as manager.
Marion Graham, former head of United Appeal, said she was impressed with Chrones as a sports promoter, and as a staunch backer of the United Way.
She said Chrones was innovative, donating proceeds of one day to the annual drive. Her downtown canvass drew strong support from cafes, with Chrones and Jimmy Girgulis among the tops. In recognition of their public activities, Chrones and Girgilus have parks named in their honor.
Mrs. Margaret (Marg) Kelsey, secretary of the parks and recreation board, supplied the records. thus:
On Dec. 10. 1979, city council passed this resolution: in Lakeview subdivision, the District Park R2, Plan 76-S-0 1809, and R3, Plan 79-S- 20494, when the boundaries are defined, be named James Chrones Park.
On Feb. 19, 1980, council passed this resolution: in Fairview sub-division the District Park R3, Plan 77- S-06906, be named James Girgulis Park.
Chrones’ slogan might have been: Eat hearty. That’s what the diners did. How better could they acknowledge their warm-hearted host?
Jim Chrones’ longtime friend, Phil Wade, heard the other day of the forthcoming presentation of the medal of bravery to the grandson whose name is Jim, too.
Wade said to Jack: “Gosh, your dad would have been proud of him.”
On an earlier occasion, the loving grandson said with pride: “My grandfather always had a cause”.
Source: Pat O’Dwyer, “Jim Chrones”, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, June 20, 1981, p. 5.
Chrones, Louis
Circa 1895 – 1964
Louis Chrones, 69, member of a well-known Saskatoon restaurant and hotel family, died in hospital Tuesday following a brief illness.
Mr. Chrones was an avid sports fan, particularly hockey and baseball, and was an active supporter of teams in both sports for many years in Wey- burn.
Born in Greece he had lived in Chicago, Ill., before moving to Weyburn in 1911, He moved to Saskatoon in 1947 to join his brother, James P. Chrones, in the operation of the Gem Hotel and Cafe here.
He is survived by two brothers, James of Saskatoon, and Leonid P. Chrones, Calgary, and one sister, Mrs. C. Karys in Greece,
He was a member of Ahepa Lodge.
Park Funeral Chapel oversees arrangements, which will be announced later.
Source: Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, August 19, 1964, p. 2.
Chrones, John Donald (“Jack”)
1927 – 2009
The death of John Donald (Jack) Chrones occurred peacefully at his home in Saskatoon on Monday, June 8th, 2009.
Jack is survived by his wife, Lou Chrones; his four children, Cathy Chrones and her husband Eric Howe, JoAnne Chrones and her husband Brian Zimmer, Tina Morton and her husband Keith Morton, Jim Chrones and his partner Kenzy Horudko; his eleven grandchildren, Sarah and her husband Aaron Maskell, Matthew Scott, Andrew Scott and his wife Kristen, Adrian Gamelin and her husband Christopher Dally, Clark Gamelin and his wife Trish MacAngus, Hillary Gamelin and her husband Kevin Vandale, Deighan Remoundos, Melissa Remoundos, Paula Morton, John Morton and Pharrynn Horudko; his four great grandchildren, Kalea Rempel, Teagan MacAngus, Alexandra Vandale, and Abigail Scott; and his sister-in-law, Matina Chrones. Jack was predeceased by his mother, Helen Chrones; his father, James Chrones; his sister, Dr. Katherine (Kay) Metrakos, and her husband Dr. Julius Metrakos; and his brother, James Chrones.
Born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan in 1927, Jack moved to Saskatoon with his parents and siblings as a young child. Jack and Lou met in Saskatoon and were married on Valentine’s Day in 1955. Lou was always the centre of his life. Jack’s life in the restaurant business was a profession that spanned decades. He worked first in his father’s restaurant, The Gem Cafe, and then established his own restaurants: Jay Dees in 1954, Jack’s Food House in 1971, and finally John’s Prime Rib in 1974.
Beginning with a family trip 1972, Jack and Lou took many opportunities to travel to Greece, exploring the culture and country, meeting relatives and making many new friends. As proud as he was to be of Greek descent, Jack was proud of being a Canadian. He was an avid hunter and even in the last few years of failing health, was able to enjoy trips out into the country during hunting season with his son Jim.
Although he had a gruff exterior, Jack was known for his hospitality to his friends and customers, and his generosity to many. His personal friendships were very important to him and included people from all walks of life. As Jack grew older and his health deteriorated, he grew more mellow. He was grateful for the care and attention given to him in his own home, and he never complained. Jack enjoyed his family immensely, particularly the babies. In the last few years when asked how he was, Jack would answer “well, I’m still here” and he always will be here in the minds and hearts of his family and friends.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, 1702 20th Street West, Saskatoon SK S7M 0Z9. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2:30 p.m., at St. John’s Anglican Cathedral, 816 Spadina Crescent East in Saskatoon. Arrangements are entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home.
Source: Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, June 10, 2009
A Tribute to Jack Chrones
In 53 years as a Saskatoon restaurateur, Jack Chrones has seen it all happen.
As a child, he saw his father, Jim Chrones, launch the Gem Cafe on Second Avenue, the first of four Saskatoon restaurant ventures within the family. Jack himself would take the lead in introducing Jaydees, Jack’s Food House and ultimately, Johns Prime Rib and Steak House.
As a teenager, he remembers the tough conditions which came with operating a restaurant, including the restrictions applied by the Wartime Prices and Trade Board. But, at the same time, events associated with the war enabled a young Chrones to build a nest-egg for the future.
As a budding entrepreneur, Chrones used good, old-fashioned work ethics, particularly in delivering his own water daily for eight years to Jaydees on what then seemed like a distant Eighth Street location.
Personal highs and lows
Through it all were the highs and lows. The highs included personal success and the innovative steps he took in the industry. The lows included the danger of losing a leg from a candle-burning accident in 1934, an aneurism on his pancreas in 1983, and a heart attack on Christmas Day in 1991.
His father first landed in Canada in 1910, going to Weyburn where he worked in a restaurant as early as 13 years of age. He went back to Greece to get married in 1923, was married in Corfu because of complications due to the Greek-Turkish war and returned to Weyburn. The three children, Catherine, Jim, and Jack, were born in Weyburn. The family moved to Saskatoon in 1930.
“I was only a boy, but I remember how tough the times were. Dad and his partner opened at 213 Second Ave. South. My dad dismissed his partner, there was a court trial which was quite sensational for its day and my dad’s decision was upheld. But his former partner found another partner and they bought the building out from under us. We lost nearly everything,” says Chrones.
The Elite Cafe was moving from 244 Second Ave. South, “so dad went to Weyburn, got Uncle Louis as a partner, and they started the business in the former Elite location with $200, which was enough to get a lease and a contractor’s help.”
Business stood test of time
It was a business which would stand the test of time, staying competitive until 1971 and “you have to remember we stayed open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We didn’t need a key for the front door because there was always somebody there.”
The family was living on 24th Street when the candle-making incident occurred.
“We were lighting candles in a bonfire setting, my toe caught the edge of a container with heated wax and the wax spilled on my leg. I was whooping and hollering all the way home and as I got to the door, I fell into my uncle’s arms. When I became conscious two days later, doctors were talking about amputation. Dr. David Baltzan stepped in and said if my mother kept the leg clean and sterilized, we could save the leg. I couldn’t walk for six months but we saved the leg.”
Dr. Baltzan’s sons, Mark, Richard, and Donald, later became doctors and good friends and were instrumental in steering Chrones back to good health after the aneurism.
Because of his time as an invalid as a boy and growing up in a home where only Greek was spoken, Chrones could hardly speak English when he first attended Caswell School. He learned on his own. He later attended Buena Vista and Victoria elementary schools and Nutana Collegiate.
Chrones remembers being in the Gem on a day in 1939 when King George and Queen Elizabeth were visiting Saskatoon.
“I was standing in the lobby when my dad called. You were supposed to jump when your dad called. I waited through two calls, then motioned him over. I told him I was standing on a $20 bill and didn’t know what to do. He told me to pick it up.”
He watched The Bessborough and the Broadway Bridge being built and a highlight as a youth “was catching the streetcar which went up the Traffic Bridge, down Ninth Street, back up Eighth Street, all the way to Sutherland and back, a great ride for a nickel”.
During the Second World War, between 12,000 and 13,000 soldiers and 5,000 airmen were stationed in or near Saskatoon. “There wasn’t much to do so they’d often drink beer along the riverbank and throw their bottles in the bushes. I scrounged for the bottles and then sold them to the exchange. In those days, if you had $4, you could buy a war certificate which would become $5 in seven years or buy an $8 bond which would become $10. I put between $4,000 and $5,000 in the bank and that’s what I used to start Jaydees.”
Chrones had been working the graveyard shift at the Gem and thought he needed a change.
Move to Eighth Street
“Eighth Street had opened up with the Night Hawk and the El Rancho. I was looking for property and was told there was none available. One day in 1953, there was a blizzard raging and someone was stuck at the corner. I went over to help and discovered it was a Mr. Stephenson, who owned the land I wanted (at about what is now Acadia Drive). We went to his lawyer’s offices and I bought eight acres.”
He bought a building from Highway Refineries on 11th Street, moved it across town and it was the modest beginning for a roadhouse-type of cafe which became a class dining room.
“For eight years, I hauled water to the site. In the summer, I would load a 2,000-gallon tank from the house taps and it would take two hours to fill. In the winter, I was able to get water from Purity Dairy on Broadway and they had a two-inch pipe which allowed me to fill the tank in 12 minutes.”
In 1955, Chrones and his family were on a holiday in New York and Montreal. “I went to a newsstand in Montreal, picked up the Saskatoon paper and the headline said ‘Restaurateur Strikes It Rich, Oil Comes Out of Water Taps’. I just knew it was my place. Heating oil had been mistakenly poured into the water tank and we had to close for five days to do the clean-up.”
Industry innovator
As an industry innovator, Chrones led the battle in 1969 to have liquor permitted in restaurants. The Gem became the first outlet and Chrones remembers serving the first two drinks to Eric Knowles and Phil Wade, Star Phoenix editorial room chiefs at the time. The Gem also became Saskatoon’s first cocktail lounge in 1960.
Chrones sold JayDees in 1970, the Gem closed in 1971, and for brief moments, he thought about going to Vancouver.
Definitely a Prairie boy
“When I saw the mountains, I knew my freedom of space as a Prairie boy was gone. I came right back. I opened Jack’s Food House with a Hollywood theme and Dirty Thirties bar in 1971 and never looked back. We had the second highest keg beer sales in Saskatchewan at the time.
Fearful that Midtown Plaza was detracting from Second Avenue’s commercial viability and worrying about the changing faces of people gathering at late hours, Chrones sold the business in December 1972, and a year later, was looking at the old Esso site at Fourth and 21st as a future home for a restaurant.
Johns Prime Ribs and Steak House opened in 1974 and it has been a success story. Recent expansion has increased his seating count to 266 in the dining areas and 65 in the lounge.
“The location near the hotels is good but I always believe you have to leave customers with a good taste. And if you look after them, they’ll look after you.”
Community involvement key
Through it all, the family has been deeply involved in the community. His dad organized the Saskatoon Gems baseball team as early as 1934 and hooked up with the Bentleys as the Delisle Gems in the early 1950s. His dad was also a gardener, and the Saskatoon Horticultural Society’s prime annual award is named in honor of Jim Chrones. The family’s United Way lunches have been a long-standing tradition.
Chrones has been married since 1955 and his wife, Mary Lou, “has persevered, backed me in every endeavor and been a strength.” She has also found time to become an accomplished artist. The two have four children: Catherine, Joanne, Matina, and Jim, with Jim becoming a fourth-generation restaurateur in the family. They have 10 grandchildren.
Source: Ned Powers, “Life as a Restauranteur”, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, March 11, 1997, p. 27.
Chrones (née Prassas), Matina
1932 – 2017
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Matina who died suddenly at home on Thursday, August 10, 2017.
Matina was born on March 3, 1932, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. She was predeceased by her parents Tom and Loula Prassas, her husband James Chrones, and their daughter Julia Caren. For the last decade Matina was the dearly loved partner and wife of Steve Simon with whom she shared a happy life together. She was the proud and loving mother of her three children – Eleni Smolen (David), Tom Chrones, and Dr. Jamie Chrones (Adele Weder) and her two wonderful granddaughters Julia and Natalie Weder. Matina will be greatly missed by her two devoted sisters – Koula O’Brien and Georgia Prassas.
Matina was an accomplished artist and teacher of art. She completed her Master of Fine Arts at the University of Saskatchewan and her Masters of Education at the University of Toronto. Matina will be remembered for her joyous love of life, her lifelong love of music, opera, art and all things beautiful. Matina radiated love and beauty and she touched the lives of so many. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Respecting Matina’s wishes, a private cremation was held at the Mount Pleasant Crematorium. A Celebration of Life will be held in Toronto in October.
Source: Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, August 19, 2017
Chrones (née Killey), Mary Louis
1933 – 2015
Lou Chrones died at her home, as she wished, on the morning of Saturday, May 30, 2015. She was surrounded by the love and commitment of her children and their families.
Lou was born in Saskatoon on July 12, 1933, to Harriet Louise (Crane) and William Reece Killey. She was the youngest of three children. In 1954, she met Jack Chrones, the son of Greek immigrants who owned the popular Gem Cafe. Both the restaurant business and the Greek heritage of her husband had a strong influence on the rest of her life. They married in 1955 and four children followed in quick succession.
Her incredible creativity was apparent early in her life, and it gave her an outlet for self-expression in her busy home life. Her talents were first expressed in ways that would keep her and the children well dressed and her home well appointed. Her talents included being an exceptional seamstress, and an expert in knitting and crocheting. She wasn’t afraid to lift a hammer in the home and took on many furniture refinishing and reupholstering projects.
Originally trained as a sculptor, her true creative expression and talent came forth as her children grew up. She began painting in earnest, first in watercolors, then moving into other media. Over the last three decades, her works depicting the landscapes of Saskatchewan became increasingly popular and now grace many homes and offices. She was pleased to have recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of her painting community, Artist’s Workshop. She proudly participated in their annual art show in April 2015.
Lou and Jack enjoyed many trips to Greece for over thirty years, where they had relatives and friends whose company they cherished. They also had many friends in Saskatoon, and their Boxing Day parties and wiener roasts at their acreage were eagerly anticipated social events.
Lou was first and foremost devoted to her family. As her own mother and later her husband declined in health, her commitment to their wellbeing was her priority. We had hoped that after our dad died, she could have spent some years painting and enjoying her creativity at a deeper level. Unfortunately, she soon developed her own health challenges. She was heroic, stoic, and did not complain or give in to her infirmities, but her limitations made her mad! She had a close group of friends who supported her. We would like to acknowledge the past and present members of Artist’s Workshop, and a wonderful social group of women who enjoyed and supported each other. We are grateful for your love, encouragement, and companionship that you shared with her.
Lou will be forever cherished by her family: Cathy Chrones and her spouse Eric Howe; JoAnne Chrones and her spouse Brian Zimmer; Matina and her spouse Keith Morton; Jim Chrones and his spouse Kenzy Horudko. Her grandchildren include Sarah and Aaron Maskell, Matthew Scott, Andrew Scott and Kristen Pawson; Adrian Gamelin and Christopher Dally, Clark Gamelin, Hillary Gamelin and Kevin Vandale; Deighan Remoundos and George Foufas, Melissa Remoundos and James Fierro, Paula Morton, John Morton and Adrianna Remlinger, Pharrynn Horudko and Kingston Chrones. Grandma Lou was also loved by her great-grandchildren: Abigail Scott, Leo and Eliza Dally, Teagan MacAngus, Brooks Gamelin, Alexandra Vandale, Kalea Rempel, and Costas Foufas.
She was predeceased by her parents, Bill and Harriet Killey, husband, Jack Chrones, and siblings Peter Killey and Dorothy James.
We are especially aware that although our parents become old or infirm, it is terribly hard to say goodbye. We are so grateful to many people who helped make her journey a little easier. We would like to especially thank Dr. Ron Kozakavich and Dr. Julie Stakiw. Your care was amazing. Thank you to the Palliative Home Care Nursing team, and Saskatoon Home Support, especially Darcy. Without your care and support, we would not have been able to keep Mom at home as she wished in her last days.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, June 5, 1:30 p.m., at Grace-Westminster United Church, Reverend Daryl Woods officiating. Donations in Lou’s name will be gratefully accepted at St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, directed to the Healing Arts Program, which Mom supported. Arrangements have been entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home.
Source: Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, June 2, 2015
Couros, Mario
1930 – 2013
The sudden passing of Mr. Mario Couros, 82 years of age, occurred at his residence on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, in Humboldt.
Mario was born on May 8, 1930, to Mihali and Konstandina Kourogiorgas in Astros Kynourias, Greece. His formal education ended abruptly in the second grade when schools in Greece were closed near the beginning of World War II. At the age of 14, Mario joined the volunteer Greek Army and fought against Greek Communists who were attempting to take over Greece. In 1950, he was drafted into the regular Greek Army. During his three years of service, he attained the rank of corporal as a military policeman.
After his honourable discharge he decided to go on an adventure. On December 14, 1957, Mario arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax, was processed and was put on a train that landed him in Regina five days later. Arriving with $15 in his pocket and not much else other that the light clothing he was wearing, the winter weather was a shocking surprise!
His first job took him to Moose Jaw where he was a dishwasher. After four months, he moved to Saskatoon where he was first employed at Golf’s Restaurant on 2nd Avenue. While a salad maker there, he spent most of his off time working with the chef to learn the trade, without pay. He soon was promoted as a chef at Golf’s. On November 12, 1959, Mario married the love of his life, Mary (Kalomira) Bezbes, in Saskatoon. Shortly after they were married, Mario and Mary moved to Swift Current to run a restaurant. Eleven months later, they came back to Saskatoon where Mario worked as a chef at the Executive Hotel and Golf’s Steak House.
In August of 1966, Mario and Mary moved to Humboldt where they leased the Pioneer Motor Hotel restaurant with their partners, Chris Papagiorgeou and his wife Sophie. The days were long, many being 18 hours, and sometimes to regain his energy, Mario would have an afternoon nap on a piece of cardboard on the storage room floor.
In December 1972, Mario’s dream of owning his own restaurant materialized with his purchase of the Ohio Café on Main Street. The business, Mario’s Steak and Pizza House, flourished. This became a family business with everyone helping when needed. Mario took pride in his food, and people still talk about his pizza, steaks, ribs, and the famous ‘Greek Club.’
After he sold the restaurant, Mario found he had a creative streak. He spent time in his shop working on art projects like woodworking and stain glass. He also loved the challenge of taking things apart and putting them back together. He was a lifelong learner, so he made sure he was the first to get a new electronic gadget. He thoroughly enjoyed the last gadget, his iPad.
Mario was a very social, giving, and caring person who assisted at fundraisers and was always ready and willing to help and have a few laughs. In the last years of his life, Mario joined the Royal Canadian Legion Humboldt Branch #28. Mario volunteered tirelessly for the organization and on January 23, 2013, was awarded the Lifetime Member designation of which he was extremely proud.
Greek traditions were very important to him, and he instilled them in his family. Mario took his family to Greece a few times so they could appreciate their heritage. After the passing of his only brother, he realized the importance of siblings and wanted his children to always love, support and stay bonded with each other. His life was complete when the grandchildren started to arrive, which made him very so very happy and full of pride. His grandkids absolutely loved being around their papou, and this time provided Mario with some of the happiest moments of his life.
The Mario’s Restaurant trademark will always remain special in the community of Humboldt. Mario will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 53 years Mary Couros of Humboldt; four children and ten grandchildren; Tina (Costas) Tzoganakis of Waterloo, ON and children George, Evangelos, Maria, Kassiani and Ioannis; Michael (Brenda) Couros of Saskatoon and children Marina and Nicholas (Telessa); Alec (Claudia) Couros of Regina and children Mary, Marinos and Sophia; and George Couros of Edmonton, AB; three sisters: Soula, Eleni and Marika all of Greece; Mary’s family: sister Jean (Gus) and brother Peter (Tina) in Saskatoon and sisters Athena and Athanasia of Greece and all of their families. Mario was predeceased by his parents Mihali and Konstandina Kourogiorgas and brother George.
A Prayer Service will be held on Sunday, March 31, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. from Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home, Hwy 5 East Humboldt. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, April 1, 2013, at 10:00 a.m Koimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church (1020 Dufferin Avenue) Saskatoon. Both services will be officiated by Rev. Fr. George Tolias. Interment will follow at Humboldt Public Cemetery (Legion Section) following the funeral service with a memorial luncheon at the Canadian Royal Legion Hall (Main Street south) Humboldt. Memorial donations in Mario’s memory may be directed to Royal Canadian Legion (Humboldt Branch #28), the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and/or the Koimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to MALINOSKI & DANYLUIK FUNERAL HOME Humboldt.
Source: Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, March 30, 2013