Sobey Wall of Honour
Column
196
Row
20
Alumni Type: Immigrant
Country of Origin: Greece
Ship Name: S.S. Queen Frederica
Port of Entry: Halifax
Date of Arrival: July 2, 1955
Age on Arrival: 25
Charalampos and Athanasia Christoforatos: A Beautiful Life
Lovingly dedicated to Charalampos (Bobby) and Athanasia (Sia) Christoforatos, who met, fell in love, and wed, after having only seen a picture of one another.
Arriving in Canada in 1951 with only $15 in his pocket, Bobby worked tirelessly to create a new life in what he affectionately described as “this beautiful country [Canada]”. Initially finding work with the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, building the railway tracks, his interests quickly turned to the restaurant business, and to getting married. In a letter to his beloved parents, he asked for some help. As fate would have it, his mom was attending the birth of her granddaughter when the letter arrived. She looked at the caring midwife who was delivering the baby and decided that she was the woman for her son. After a few letters and one striking photo, Sia arrived alone, by ship to Canada: first to Halifax, then by train to Montreal, and on to Trenton. It was there, at that train stop at 5:00 am, on July 2, 1955, that she met her husband for the first time. She held his picture; he held a bouquet of flowers. She had $3, he had little more. Here, their beautiful life began. Married in 1955, they worked together enduringly to build and sustain their dream, the Times Square Restaurant. For over 40 years, they welcomed everyone. Their generosity and kindness were reflected each day through their connections with customers, family, friends, even strangers. Bobby often described those years as “the best [years] of his life”. Their incredible work ethic, passion for life, and dedication to those they loved were demonstrated every day.
They lived their lives rooted in their Greek Orthodox faith, piously and spiritually. They were humble, noble, and forever grateful. Their spirit will live on in the lives they touched with their goodness and love. They will forever be an inspiration to those who loved them. Their spirit and guidance are endless. May their memory be eternal.
Charalampos Christoforatos, born in Kefalonia, Greece; passed in Ontario, Canada June, 1921- September, 2007
Athanasia Christoforatos, born in Kefalonia, Greece; passed in Ontario, Canada March, 1930- April, 2021
Memory eternal+
