John Bitove Sr.
John Bitove Sr. | |
---|---|
Born | Lazar Nikola Bitov 19 March 1928 |
Died | 30 July 2015 Toronto, Ontario | (aged 87)
Nationality | Canadian |
Occupation | Businessman |
Spouse | Dotsa Bitove |
Children | John Bitove and 4 more |
Awards | Order of Canada |
John Louis Nicholas Bitove Sr.,
Biography
Early life
Bitove was born Lazar Nikola Bitov,[2] in Toronto to Macedonian immigrants Nicholas and Vana.[3] His parents immigrated to Canada after World War I in 1919 from Gabresh (today Gavros), a village located in the Kastoria region of Macedonia (Greece).[4]
Business career
John Bitove Sr. developed, built, and operated various restaurants in Canada. With his wife Dotsa, he created the Java Shoppe in the north part of Toronto (formerly North York), that quickly expanded to 5 restaurants. Bitove brought new restaurant concepts to Toronto such as the Cav-a-bob nightclub, Julie's fine dining and many others. He later acquired the Canadian franchise rights to the
In 1989 Bitove became a member of the Order of Canada.[6] And in 2013 the Republic of Macedonia awarded him The Order of 8 September, for efforts on behalf of Macedonia, particularly the nation's independence; Macedonia was the homeland of his and his wife's parents.
Bitove was a director of several companies, including Oppenheimer & Co. He also organized, founded and was involved in, many charitable activities, most notably, with Dotsa, the founding of
Various social, educational and medical causes bear the family's name, including the John and Dotsa Bitove Family Law Library at the
Political activity
In the early 1990s, John Bitove founded an International Macedonian Lobby to assist the newly proclaimed
Personal life
He was married to Dotsa and had five children – Vonna, Tom, Nick, John and Jordan. He died in Toronto in July 2015.[13]
References
- ^ Bitove, John (28 September 2007). "Recognition for Macedonia". National Post. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
- ^ в-к "Македония", брой 24, 21 юни 1994 г.
- ^ Robertson, Grant (28 March 2008). "Meet John Bitove". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 6 May 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2011 – via Wayback Machine.
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- ISBN 0-7453-1589-5.] is a successful businessman now living in Toronto. Of Macedonian origin, he hails from the village of Gavros, Kastoria prefecture.
John Bitov [sic
- ^ Bradburn, Jamie (14 January 2015). "Vintage Toronto Ads: Big Boy". The Torontoist. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "John L.N. Bitove, C.M." The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
- ^ Ristovska, Liljana (16 November 2006). "Gala Raises $1.3 Million for Scholarships and Canadian Macedonian Palace". Canadian Macedonian News. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
- ^ "Our Story". ProAction Cops & Kids. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
- ^ "John and Dotsa Bitove Family Law Library". Retrieved 18 August 2011.
- ^ Danforth, Loring M., The Macedonian Conflict: Ethnic Nationalism in a Transnational World, Princeton University Press, 1997, p. 101.
- ^ United Macedonian Diaspora’s Companions - A Distinction of Honor Archived 26 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine, umdiaspora.org
- YouTubeby Metodija Koloski, president of the United Macedonian Diaspora.
- ^ "Businessman John Bitove Sr. dies at age 87". Toronto Sun.