WEYBURN – The community of Weyburn is mourning the loss of John Siourounis, a pillar of the local business community and a family man, who passed away on Aug. 2 at the age of 73.
Siourounis, co-owner of the Weyburn Travelodge (formerly the El Rancho Motel), was remembered by Mayor Jeff Richards as a dedicated entrepreneur, employer, and philanthropist whose impact on the community will be deeply felt.
“I've known John for I don't know how long, very, very many years,” said Richards. “Him and his brothers and their families have done so much for our community, supporting us through most recently golf tournaments and all the years of providing employment and great meals and a great facility for our community."
Richards highlighted Siourounis’ leadership, not only in business but also in his unwavering support for local causes, including the hospital foundation.
Siourounis helped shape Weyburn with his “leadership as a business person, as a business leader, but, of course, as an employer, as a family man, showing that you can do both, you can have a family, you can run a business and supporting things like the hospital foundation in our community and all of those things that he did, just tremendous.”
Richards said what he will remember most about Siourounis’ presence in Weyburn is his honesty.
“I would say over the years some of the things that would stand out for me in my conversations with John have always been his ability to tell me things that I need to do better at or that the city needs to do better at and in the same breath to be able to tell us what we're doing a very good job of and to be fair and always somebody who is rational and easy to talk to and I miss sometimes having that sage advice. But I'm lucky he's got two brothers that will continue to do that.”
Known for his warm personality and quick wit, Siourounis was a familiar and friendly face in Weyburn.
“John was a great guy, a guy you [could] always have a laugh with when you went in a restaurant or a hotel. Just a great family, great supporters of Weyburn,” said Richards. “He will be thoroughly missed in our community.”
Richards acknowledged that Siourounis’ absence will leave a void in the community.
“I think he [was] a big presence in that building [Travelodge] and I think walking in there now and not seeing John would be different for folks. That is for sure.
“He [was] a pretty cool guy,” added Richards, his voice heavy with emotion.
Efforts to reach the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce for additional comment were unsuccessful, as the organization’s management was unavailable.
Born in Vatheia, Arkadia, Greece, Siourounis immigrated to Canada in 1969. He lived in Toronto, Ont., then in Eastend, Sask., before moving to Weyburn in 1982.
He left behind wife, Maria, son, Michael (Caitlin), daughter, Georgia (Jeremy), grandchildren, Hope, John and Kosta; siblings, Kosta (Vivi), Harry (Roni), George (Popie), Christina, his nieces and nephews and numerous other family in Canada and Greece.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the McKenna Hall, 317 - 3rd Street, N.E.,in Weyburn, at 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 16.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society 300 - 55 St. Claire Avenue W, Toronto, ON, M4V 2X7.
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