Tom Torkos

GICREF039

Participants
Tom Torkos
Intervieweer(s)
Angelo Laskaris
Date and Location
November 28, 2023
Toronto, ON
Languages
English
Permalink
Project
Greeks in Canada: A Digital Public History
Reference ID
GICREF039
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Categories
Tags
Decades Referenced
Locations Referenced
Florina, Athens, Halifax, Toronto
Occupation(s)
Entrepreneur
Parents Occupation(s)
Names Referenced
Nick Torkos (Brother), George Papadamou; Gerald Ford

[00:00:20] His migration, first impressions and employment

[00:03:13] Tomato paste business and quitting his job

[00:07:30] Working in golf club production

[00:12:59] Starting a business with his brother in 1974

[00:15:00] Creating their own brand, TnT Golf

[00:18:35] Purchasing Nobleton Lakes Golf Course

[00:21:30] Buying Innisfil Golf Course and finding a partner

[00:24:15] His life in Florina and the immigration process

[00:27:45] His first job at Campbell and meeting his wife

[00:35:35] The golf scene in Toronto in the 1970s and 1980s

[00:37:15] Creating a club for President Gerald Ford in 1976

[00:41:19] Making quality golf clubs

[00:46:41] Competition with other manufacturers

[00:48:30] Showing his parents what he did for a living

[00:51:38] Operating a golf course and expanding the business

[01:01:17] The 1985 fire

[01:03:15] Innisfil and improving the quality of the food

[01:07:22] Not being afraid to spend money on quality

[01:08:56] Not being involved in the Greek Community

[01:10:50] His message to young Greek Canadians