My grandfather George was born in 1937 in Patras, Greece located on the northwest side of the Peloponnese in Achaia.  He grew up there as well. And he died in 2019.

There were not many opportunities for him because after WW2 a civil war broke out in Greece which further spoiled opportunities, many people left.  He later had a job in Greece but was unhappy with it and wanted to do something new, this was a factor that pushed him to leave Greece others included that he needed economic support for his 7 brothers and sisters and that he wanted to broaden his horizons and go somewhere new.

Pull factors were things like the pre-established greek communities in Canada that dated back many years and better opportunities. He also knew there were many greek buisnesses which helped inspire him to come to Canada.

Immigrating to Canada would be hard seeing as you need to find a job and a place to live but doing it would prove very good for many people like George.  He came over independently with little to no connections. 

He came to Canada in an airplane in 1963.

He was 26.

He found a job, he went around and asked local businesses if there was work to be done for them.

He stayed with his friend who to was greek and had already established a family in Toronto.

He found a job that paid a dollar an hour and began working

My grandfather staying at his friends house

He made friends who married one of his sisters who also came to Canada. With his work, he helped by a house with his friends.

My grandmother came from Greece and married him in 1966.

My grandmother and grandfather getting engaged.

George bought his first house in 1970 in the beaches Toronto.

My dad was born in Toronto in 1967. 

That is a picture of my dad standing

outside the house

He later sold the house and made enough money to be a partner in a fast-food restaurant. With the money, he raised my father and my uncle.  He paid for my dad and my uncle's college. 

That's the story of how my grandfather George(who I am named after) came to Canada and started his family and business. I'm a third-generation Canadian because my parents were both born in Canada and so were my sister and me. 

Greek Culture and traditions.

Greek easter eggs.

There are many celebrations and traditions in the greek culture here are some of them.

A very big part of greek culture is religion. The greek church is very much connected to the greek culture sometimes it's just tradition to go. Things like baptisms are very important to the culture and religion which is greek orthodox Christianity. Easter is a very big part of the culture as well and is much larger celebrated than Christmas.

Also, many things like name days are a traditional thing to celebrate.

Greek orthodox church

Religion