Restauranteur.
Born at Niata, Greece on 30 March 1929 to Helen Boosalis and John Karvelas, he lived through the difficult years of the Second World War, and the Civil War in his homeland. He moved to Canada in 1956 and held several jobs, including working at StandardAero, a large engine overhaul facility near the Winnipeg Airport. While there he met co-worker Jenny Helen Andrushko (1939-2004). Marrying in 1964, they went on to have two sons.
Having always wanted to be his own boss, he left StandardAero in 1963 and bought the Red Boot Drive Inn on Ness Avenue in St. James. He worked there for over 45 years, spending many a night preparing his famous chili, and “Karvys,” which were crinkle-cut french fries flavoured with his personal blend of herbs and spices. Over the years, he served thousands of customers and they kept coming back for more. He was generous and hospitable with his patrons, and encouraged friends and family to join him at the back of the restaurant, where he would personally take their food orders. He also sent his children on numerous trips to Greece to immerse them in their Greek heritage. His wife worked every evening at the drive-in after completing her day-job at the Home Care office at Grace Hospital.
After he retired in 2008, the Red Boot Drive Inn became Pop’s Burgers, then later St. James Burger & Chip Company. On an extended stay in Greece, he married Rayna Nenkova. However, upon falling seriously ill, he was forced to return to Winnipeg.
He died at Winnipeg on 19 May 2009 and was buried in the Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.
Obituary [Jenny Helen Karvelas], Winnipeg Free Press, 24 February 2004.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, on 21 May 2009.
“Burger master,” Winnipeg Free Press, 19 August 2018.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 20 March 2025
Memorable Manitobans
This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.
Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text:
Custom SearchBrowse surnames beginning with:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | ZBrowse deaths occurring in:
1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025
Send corrections and additions to this page
to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.caCriteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements
Help us keep
history alive!
