Theodoros Xenophontos (Interview 2) | Oral History Archive | HHFGCA

Theodoros Xenophontos (Interview 2)

Interviewer(s):

Theo Xenophontos

Project:

Film as Mediator: Cultivating a Cypriot Canadian Community Audiovisual Media Archive

INTERVIEW LOCATION:

Toronto, ON

LANGUAGE:

English

DATE:

January 16, 2022

Interview Summary:

Theodoros Xenophontos was born in Kyperounda, Cyprus in 1936. In 1966, he migrated to Canada with his wife and two young children for economic reasons. 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 16, 2022

Toronto, ON

Interviewee(s)

Theodoros Xenophontos (Interview 2)

Interviewer(s)

Theo Xenophontos

Languages

English

Reference ID

FAMREF001B

Project

Film as Mediator: Cultivating a Cypriot Canadian Community Audiovisual Media Archive

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Categories

Canadian Society

Culture and Tradition

Historical Events

Migration

Rites

Tags

Australia

Baptism

Cypriot Canadian Identity

Cyprus 1974

EOKA

Funeral

Marriage

Military Service

Music

Pre-1974 Migration

Religion

WW2

Decades Referenced

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

Locations Referenced

Cyprus; Kyperounda (Limassol District); Louvaras (Limassol District); Amiandos Asbestos Mine; Troodos Mountains; Kambos (Nicosia District); Church of Saint George (Paphos District); Athens; The Acropolis; The Parthenon; Canada; Toronto; SkyDome; SickKids - The Hospital for Sick Chldren; the National Trade Centre; Bathurst Street; Lynedock Crescent; Keswick; Kitchener; Australia

Occupation(s)

He 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 British military during World War II.

Names Referenced

Helen Power (née Xenophontos); Anna Ellinas; George Patinios; Makarios III; George Michael; Marcos Baghdatis

[00:00:21] Using FaceTime to connect with family in Cyprus

[00:01:38] One of the first letters he sent from Canada

[00:03:50] The origins of his last name

[00:06:22] Photographic memories of his grandparents

[00:08:54] Family photo in Amiandos, circa World War II era

[00:11:10] Photographic memory of his parents post-war

[00:13:07] His government ID from the EOKA period

[00:15:01] His mother giving birth to him in their field

[00:16:23] His wedding photo & memories of his wife’s family

[00:18:49] Family photos used in a project his grandson did

[00:36:48] Photos from the building of the SkyDome

[00:40:32] Various family photos from the 1980s and 1990s

[00:50:29] Various photos from a 1997 trip to Cyprus

[00:53:57] Various photos from the late 1990s and early 2000s

No items found.

Land Acknowledgement: York University recognizes that many Indigenous Nations have longstanding relationships with the territories upon which York University campuses are located that precede the establishment of York University. York University acknowledges its presence on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. The area known as Tkaronto has been care taken by the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron-Wendat. It is now home to many First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities. We acknowledge the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This territory is subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement to peaceably share and care for the Great Lakes region.