John Paraskevopoulos
John immigrated to Canada from Greece in 1979 as a 16-year-old with little knowledge of English. Through hard work, perseverance, and determination, he began his career in the baking industry.
Starting as a baker, John quickly advanced to become a general manager and later an owner within a small chain of seven donut shops. Over 17 years in the donut industry, he developed a strong reputation for leadership, dedication, and commitment to quality.
After his success in food service, John turned his focus to property development. He began investing in and managing small- and medium-scale commercial and residential properties, including apartment buildings and retail spaces. His business ventures have since expanded to include several successful developments across the Niagara Region.
For more than 25 years, John has been an active member of the Hellenic Community of Niagara, representing approximately 800 Greek-Canadian families in the region. He has served three terms as president and has played a key role in organizing major cultural and charitable events, including the annual Niagara Greek Festival, which now attracts over 15,000 visitors over four days each year.
Over the last five years, John and his family have owned and operated Gyros On The Lake, a well-loved Greek restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Together with his wife, he continues to contribute to the local community while raising their three children, now in their twenties, who share the family’s strong values of hard work, tradition, and service.
