Confucian wisdom says, wherever you go, go with all your heart.

It was 1959 and at the age of 16, Spiro decided to leave Greece looking for a better life. With nothing more than the mere suggestion of better opportunity, he boarded a ship bound for Canada.

He disembarked at Pier 21 where Spiro crossed the Canadian threshold adding his name to the list of over one million immigrants from every corner of the world that would ultimately pass through the customs shed on that lonely Pier. The next leg of his journey would involve a cross country train to his destination of Saskatoon. For the next 11 years Spiro served his apprenticeship in the restaurant industry.

During his time in Saskatoon, Spiro would make the most important decision of his life: to marry a young woman from Greece who was known to him in name only. Marrying Tina would ultimately leverage his true potential and alter his trajectory forever. With two young boys in and a baby girl on the way, Spiro and Tina relocated to Lloydminster, to take advantage of an opportunity to be his own boss.

In the 1980’s the economy took a turn for the worse and their restaurant had to close it’s doors but, Spiro and Tina were able to start over again with the help of a local banker and as they slowly emerged from the turbulence of that economic downfall. Spiro realized that the community of Lloydminster was more than a collection of people, it was a friend, and it was the support and friendship of the community that had gotten him through the most difficult period of his life.

Spiro named his new restaurant The Lighthouse, because, as he noted, “had it not been for the lighthouse where would my ship have gone?”. The restaurant was simply an extension of Spiro and Tina’s home. Christmas day was spent at the restaurant with a collection of customers who found themselves alone during the holidays.

This deep sense of hospitality would lead to Spiro and Tina’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner event. For Spiro, this was a chance to offer comfort to the lonely, and an opportunity to repay the generosity that has been shown to him during difficult economic times. 350 people would come every year to this event, eagerly anticipated by all. Spiro and Tina personally hosted this annual event for 30 years. They have since turned this annual event over to a local charity who continue to carry the same message of hope and love to those who are lonely and alone on Thanksgiving Day.

Spiro continues his tradition of caring by hosting a annual graduation banquet for the Avery Outreach School in Lloydminster. Now in its 5th year, the annual Avery Outreach graduation celebration has outgrown the restaurant venue with 48 graduating students and their families in attendance. During the 2017 graduating ceremony, the school recognized Spiro’s generosity to the Avery community with an honorary high school diploma.

Spiro is nearing 80 years old. He continues to be active in his restaurant and in his community. When Spiro made his journey to Canada in 1959 he brought little with him in the way of possessions, what he did bring with him was his whole heart. It is with this heart that he continues to love and honour the people of Lloydminster.