John C. Fanaras

HHF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
JOHN FANARAS

John C. Fanaras is a successful businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the co-founder and President of Nucro-Technics, the largest Pharmaceutical Contract Support Organization in Canada. With a staff of over 165 scientists, Nucro-Technics provides services to over 400 customers around the world including the 10 largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.

Mr. Fanaras is also the Chief Operating Officer of Jupiter Biomedical Research, a Florida-based Biotechnology Company and he is guiding their scientific program in the development of a new drug for the treatment of brain cancer (glioblastoma). For his accomplishments and contributions to science he was recognized as a “Canadian Leader for 2009” (Published in CRO, CMO & Clinical Trials Canada, 2009 Industry Guide).

Additionally, Mr. Fanaras has been, and continues to be actively involved in many community and social initiatives. He served on the Board of Governors at Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology (1987-1992), including as Vice-Chair of the Board and the Executive Committee, and Chair of the Finance and of the Property and Operational Review Steering Committees. As a result of his service with Centennial College, John was nominated and voted in to serve on the Board of Directors of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) for a two-year term from 1990-1992 for which he received an award for Distinguished Service. He was also a member of the Scarborough Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 1987-1990 and was recognized with an Award of Distinction at the end of his term.  For his contributions and involvement with various initiatives in the city of Scarborough, John was recognized as a “Scarborough City Ambassador” in 1993.

As a philanthropist, Mr. Fanaras has served for many years on the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Heritage Foundation, including a term as the President of the organization from 2009-2011. He has been a champion for projects and initiatives that have served to preserve, promote and advance Hellenic language, culture and education within Canada, and has graciously donated $150,000 in support of the Hellenic Studies programs at York University and the University of Toronto.

At the Hellenic Home for the Aged, he has been a member of the Executive for over 20 years and currently serves as the President. Highly recognized as one of Hellenic Home’s great benefactors, John has donated almost $1 million towards the betterment of the Hellenic Home and the quality of life for its residents. He also generously donates his time and expertise to matters of governance, finance, and strategic direction of the Hellenic Home for the Aged, making the Hellenic Home the jewel of our community and a leader in the long-term care industry. John strives to ensure that seniors of Hellenic descent enjoy quality of life with dignity and respect that meets and exceeds their cultural and spiritual needs.  Under his leadership, the Hellenic Home for the Aged was awarded a licence to build a third 128-bed nursing home in Scarborough. This future facility will accommodate help to alleviate the current 800 person-long wait list for long-term care spots.

Born and raised in Antissa, a small village on the island of Lesvos, Greece, John travelled to the United States with a scholarship for his university education before immigrating to Canada after his graduation. John and his wife Xenoula are proud parents of three: Pamela who has a doctorate degree in Pharmacy, and Effie an independently practicing physician in Respirology and Sleep Medicine, and Constantine, who has both a science and a business degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business. They are equally proud of daughter-in-law and family physician Erin, and granddaughters Alexa and Ariadne.