Niagara Falls Visionary
George Yerich, born, 1930, Niagara Falls, Ontario, is the son of Serbian parents who immigrated to Canada from their native land early in the 20th century. After graduating, University of Toronto, 1953, George continued with the development of his father’s motel business which had begun in Niagara Falls during the Depression. Playing an early role in developing the Niagara tourist industry, George served as a charter member and president, Niagara Resort and Tourist Association. In 1968, George and Violet, his wife, acquired The Skylon Tower, a well-known Niagara Falls tourist attraction. Today, George has visionary plans to help make Niagara Falls a world-class destination. He plans on doing this by expanding the facilities of The Skylon Tower and the 22 acres surrounding it into an integrated complex showcasing two full-service hotels with 700 rooms in total; building over 400,000 square feet of cinema seating, including a state-of-the-art IMAX theatre; introducing international dining with theme restaurants and a variety of entertainment venues; and building parking facilities for 5,000 vehicles. George Yerich also owns Holiday Inn by the Falls, independent from the well-known American hotel chain of the same name in that the Yerich family business, founded in the 1930s, preceded the name of the American-owned business. The auditorium at Niagara College, Niagara-on-the-Lake, is named Yerich, reflecting the respect the family has generated in the community. The family, too, has generously donated to the Greater Niagara General Hospital and has contributed significantly to the two Serbian Orthodox Churches in the Niagara region. In this view, George Yerich stands next to two bells of the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, Niagara Falls, which were donated by the Yerich family to commemorate his parents, Pane and Katherine Yerich, pioneer Serbs of Niagara Falls. [Photo, courtesy George Yerich]