July 21, 1931 - February 8, 2024
In loving memory ~
It is with deep sadness that we announce that Konstantinos (Gus) Sfikas passed away on February 8, 2024, at the age of 92 years.
Gus was born on July 21, 1931, in Paradisia, Greece. He and his family courageously lived through WWII, which would build the strong work ethic and character that shaped who Gus was throughout his life. He overcame any challenge that presented itself.
At 18 years old, Gus joined the Greek army and was assigned as Officer of Radio Communications. After a few months, he became the supervisor of 12 soldiers, and served the beautiful country of Greece with strength and loyalty.
In 1956, at the young age of 25, Gus decided to go on an adventure to Canada, and make a living in a new country. He traveled by boat and reached Montreal on February 28 of that year. He and the other immigrants made their way to Winnipeg, where he remembers going out and buying onions and a loaf of bread to eat as that was all they could afford. Afterwards, they traveled to Regina, Saskatchewan, where he worked for 28 days as a restaurant cook. On his break one day, he saw an advertisement in the Regina Star Newspaper from Alcan, an aluminum plant they were just starting to build at that time. It was an appealing opportunity that he wanted, so the adventure continued and he made his way to Kitimat, BC. He was deemed too skinny to work for the hard labor, but his Greek friends helped him finally land a job as a Crane Operator. He spent over 21 years doing this, saving his money carefully for his dream goal, to one day run his own business.
In 1970 he married the love of his life, Panagiota (Pitsa). Shortly after they met in Greece, he asked her how she felt about coming to Canada, so far away from their home and if she would like to go with him. She replied, "If I'm happy, I could go to the ends of the world." Gus always remembered that.
In 1977 Gus decided that his dream was ready to come true. He bought some property in Terrace and opened a pool hall and arcade. He called it, "Gus's Pool Hall" but everybody just knew it as "Gus's." The pool hall became a fixture in Terrace, where entire families and tourists would make a point to visit and have fun on a regular basis, just like he imagined. It gave the small city a place for kids to play games, sometimes all day long, and escape reality for just a little bit. Parents would slip Gus a 20, and leave their kids there for hours while they ran errands - Gus kept his eye on them, and the community was better for it. All patrons of Gus's remember his favourite thing to do: Shout out "Slurpieeeee!!!!" whenever someone ordered one. In 1995 the dream took a new angle, and Gus got back into the restaurant business. He and his family opened Gusto's restaurant right next door to the arcade. By the end of his run, Gus's businesses were operating for 30 years, an incredible accomplishment for a young man who had originally landed in Canada with only $50 in his pocket. His work gave him great joy, and he forged so many connections and friendships with the people he would meet in Terrace and the surrounding cities' townsfolk. These bonds would last his lifetime.
Gus loved the town of Terrace. After closing Gus's, he remained in Terrace and enjoyed retirement with Pitsa. One of the things he and Pitsa enjoyed greatly was to play backgammon together. Another was their daily outing of picking up a McDonalds coffee and going to their favourite spot 'by the river' to view the beauty of nature. And he was never alone - the people of Terrace would regularly engage with him whenever they saw him around town, to say hello and reminisce about the times they spent in the arcade. Gus and Pitsa also frequently traveled to Calgary and Seattle to visit their children. He was also a wonderful cook who loved making delicious soups for his children and grandchildren whenever he visited. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and always played chess with them. He was a very strong chess player, but he lost his title to his granddaughter last summer which will carry the legacy forward for the next generation.
Gus will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Pitsa; his children, Soula (Chris), Ted, and Katherine (Vince); his grandchildren Athena, Hera, Isidora, Kallista, Alex, Thanos, Pasquale and Konstantinos; and numerous nieces and nephews. He will forever be remembered for not only his accomplishments, but also how many lives he touched and the love he gave to everyone.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Gus's name to The Dr. R.E.M. Lee Hospital Foundation.