by Rany Xanthopolou for First Monday
(2015) The time that the first Greek people settled in Sarnia dates back to the early 1900s, but the greatest influx of Greeks migrating to Sarnia was in the early 1960s. In the late 1960s,with a growing number of Greek families in the area, the Hellenic Community of Sarnia and Vicinity was formed,. In 1969 the Community was able to purchase its first church on Talfourd Street. Presently there are about 120 Greek families in the area and a much bigger church on Murphy Road.
Nina Vacratsis was a young child when her father immigrated to the United States. “In 1940, my dad was a priest, made it on the last boat to leave Greece during the Second World War. Five years later he went back to Greece and brought our whole family to the United States. The reason that we ended up in the States was because back then it was easier to bring immediate family to the States than in Canada,” says Nina. Eventually, Nina met her husband in Windsor and moved to Sarnia where they raised their family.
Although the majority of first generation Greek immigrants were primarily involved in either working in a restaurant, with some of them eventually owning their own restaurants, second generation Greeks got a higher education leading to professional careers in industry or private enterprise. Education, and especially respect for education, has always been most important in the Greek culture. Another important factor that sustains the Hellenic community is that its members are active and willing volunteers.
Bill Regakos is a second generation Greekand says his parents, like most other Greek parents, had exposed him to the Greek Church, Greek culture and Greek school. “I hung around with other Greek kids when I was growing up,” he says, “and went to Greek school after hours.” Today’s youngsters assimilate in the Canadian community while still maintaining some of the Greek culture and traditions. Some leave Sarnia for higher education, and then many go to where the jobs are. Bill considers himself lucky to have been able to stay in Sarnia. He went to Lambton College and became an Operating Engineer and continues to work in the Valley. Like many others of his generation, he did not follow in his parents` restaurant footsteps.
Through the years, most Sarnians have been exposed to Greek cuisine and cannot wait for Canada Day at Canatara to sample souvlaki and mouth-watering Greek desserts. Another venue to sample a variety of Greek cuisine is the Annual Greekfest, which also embraces multicultural interaction. Several bake sales are also held by the Hellenic community throughout the year. Greek yogurt, olive oil, feta cheese and Greek olives are a big part of the Mediterranean diet and, one can say, that now have become staples in most Canadian homes.