Theodoros Xenophontos (Interview 1)
Interviewer(s):
Theo Xenophontos
Project:
Film as Mediator: Cultivating a Cypriot Canadian Community Audiovisual Media Archive
INTERVIEW LOCATION:
Toronto, ON
LANGUAGE:
English
DATE:
January 14, 2022

Interview Summary:

Theodoros Xenophontos was born in Kyperounda, Cyprus in 1936. In 1966, he migrated to Canada for economic reasons, intending to return to Cyprus once his debts were cleared. Later that year, he sent for his wife and children once it became apparent that he would need to stay in Canada long term. In 1968, he became a certified electrician for IBEW Local 353. He would later become an electrical foreman, working on such notable buildings as the SkyDome and SickKids - The Hospital for Sick Children.

Date and Location
January 14, 2022
Toronto, ON
Interviewee(s)
Theodoros Xenophontos (Interview 1)
Interviewer(s)
Theo Xenophontos
Languages
English
Reference ID
FAMREF001A
Project
Film as Mediator: Cultivating a Cypriot Canadian Community Audiovisual Media Archive
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Categories
Tags
Decades Referenced
Locations Referenced
Cyprus; Kyperounda (Limassol District); Amiandos Asbestos Mine; Kykkos Monastery; Platania (Nicosia District); Greece; Athens; Canada; Halifax; Montreal; Toronto; SkyDome; SickKids - The Hospital for Sick Children; the National Trade Centre; Exhibition Place; Bathurst and Queen; Egypt; Israel; Italy; Australia; the United Kingdom; the United States of America
Occupation(s)
He worked as a clerk in the electrical department of the Amiandos Asbestos Mine. He also worked in the telephone exchange in Amiandos during the EOKA struggle (the telephone exchange was owned by the mining company). Afterwards, he did electrical installation in his native village of Kyperounda before becoming a certified electrician in 1968 for IBEW Local 353 two years after arriving in Canada. He also worked as an electrical foreman on the SkyDome (now the Rogers Centre), SickKids - The Hospital for Sick Children, and the National Trade Centre (now the Enercare Centre).
Parents Occupation(s)
His parents were farmers. His father also served in the Cyprus Regiment of the British Army during World War II.
Names Referenced
Anna Ellinas; Constantine II of Greece; Helen Power (née Xenophontos); Konstantinos Karamanlis; Makarios III

[00:00:15] Biographical background

[00:01:49] His father’s revolt against the British in 1945

[00:03:43] Familial background

[00:04:19] Jobs in Cyprus and coming to Canada for work

[00:06:44] Meeting his wife during the EOKA struggle

[00:07:39] His arrest during the EOKA struggle

[00:09:04] The story of his migration and sponsoring family

[00:13:14] Working on the SkyDome & the National Trade Centre

[00:16:18] Interactions with Greeks and Cypriots in Canada

[00:17:52] The evolution of Greek schools in Canada over time

[00:19:29] The lack of Cypriots in Canada pre-1974

[00:22:50] Friendships with Turkish Cypriots

[00:23:49] Communication with family in Cyprus

[00:25:56] His 1973 trip to Cyprus and discussing the junta

[00:30:08] Hearing news about the Turkish invasion

[00:31:40] Only filming & taking photos on special occasions

[00:33:46] Photos & films aiding the remembering of the past

[00:35:32] Feeling more Cypriot than Canadian

[00:37:25] Hopes for the future of Cyprus

[00:39:19] The reason why he thinks enosis failed

[00:40:51] Background on his wife’s life

[00:44:33] Memories of the opening of the SkyDome

[00:48:05] Running as a union rep for IBEW Local 353 in 1972

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Theodoros' passport
Theodoros' passport, including the day he left Cyprus
Theodoros' passport, including the day he arrived in Canada
Theodoros (on the right, in the centre) with fellow migrants on the way to Canada, 1966
Theodoros (in between two moustached men) with fellow migrants on the way to Canada, 1966
Theodoros in Canada soon after his arrival, April 1966
The writing on the back of the previous photo, April 1966
Theodoros dancing with his wife, late 1960s
Theodoros with his wife and sister-in-law at a picnic, late 1960s or early 1970s
Theodoros with his wife, kids, and extended family waiting at the airport for family members from Cyprus to arrive, late 1960s or early 1970s
Theodoros with his son at a wedding, late 1960s or early 1970s
Posters from when Theodoros ran to be a union rep for IBEW Local 353, June 1972
Theodoros with his wife and her family outside of their home, late 1970s
Theodoros with his wife at the tomb of Makarios III, the first President of Cyprus, early 1980s
Theodoros during the construction of the SkyDome, some time between 1986 - 1989
Theodoros during the construction of the SkyDome, some time between 1986 - 1989
Theodoros during the construction of the SkyDome, September 20, 1987
Theodoros during the construction of the SkyDome, November 12, 1988
Theodoros during the construction of the SkyDome, May 17, 1989
Ticket from the opening of the SkyDome, June 3, 1989
Theodoros' mother washing her clothes outside of her home, September 1, 1989
Theodoros with his wife and grandson (the interviewer) after the grandson's baptism, May 10, 1992
Theodoros with his great-niece and great-nephew in Cyprus, October 2, 1992
Theodoros' mother-in-law and mother, October 4, 1992
Theo and Theodoros Xenophontos at York University for the HHF Greek Canadian Archives' Donor Appreciation Event, May 11, 2023
No items found.
Theodoros' passport
Theodoros' passport, including the day he left Cyprus
Theodoros' passport, including the day he arrived in Canada
Theodoros (on the right, in the centre) with fellow migrants on the way to Canada, 1966
Theodoros (in between two moustached men) with fellow migrants on the way to Canada, 1966
Theodoros in Canada soon after his arrival, April 1966
The writing on the back of the previous photo, April 1966
Theodoros dancing with his wife, late 1960s
Theodoros with his wife and sister-in-law at a picnic, late 1960s or early 1970s
Theodoros with his wife, kids, and extended family waiting at the airport for family members from Cyprus to arrive, late 1960s or early 1970s
Theodoros with his son at a wedding, late 1960s or early 1970s
Posters from when Theodoros ran to be a union rep for IBEW Local 353, June 1972
Theodoros with his wife and her family outside of their home, late 1970s
Theodoros with his wife at the tomb of Makarios III, the first President of Cyprus, early 1980s
Theodoros during the construction of the SkyDome, some time between 1986 - 1989
Theodoros during the construction of the SkyDome, some time between 1986 - 1989
Theodoros during the construction of the SkyDome, September 20, 1987
Theodoros during the construction of the SkyDome, November 12, 1988
Theodoros during the construction of the SkyDome, May 17, 1989
Ticket from the opening of the SkyDome, June 3, 1989
Theodoros' mother washing her clothes outside of her home, September 1, 1989
Theodoros with his wife and grandson (the interviewer) after the grandson's baptism, May 10, 1992
Theodoros with his great-niece and great-nephew in Cyprus, October 2, 1992
Theodoros' mother-in-law and mother, October 4, 1992
Theo and Theodoros Xenophontos at York University for the HHF Greek Canadian Archives' Donor Appreciation Event, May 11, 2023
No items found.