Jimmy Meridis, established Simcoe County businessman, dead at 81
Jimmy Meridis shown cooking (File).
The Town of Midland is in mourning after losing a community staple for decades.
An obituary posted online confirms that Jim 'Jimmy' Meridis passed away on Wednesday peacefully, surrounded by his family at Georgian Bay General Hospital.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Meridis was a well-known and respected entrepreneur in Simcoe County, with restaurants in Midland, Penetanguishene, Stayner and Collingwood, which he ran with his partner Diane Smith.
However, Meridis' life wasn't without challenges. His former Collingwood-based restaurant, The Olde Red Hen, was destroyed by a fire in the summer of 2020.
Meridis' business also made headlines in 2018 when then White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was kicked out of a restaurant in Virginia with a nearly identical name, the Red Hen.
His restaurant was mistakenly the target of attacks online from around the world.
"We got a lot of response from all over the world," Meridis said to CTV News with a laugh a few years after the incident. "I had calls from all over the world to apologize for that!"
A funeral service will be held at St. Mark's Anglican Church on Jan. 26 at 11 a.m. His family is asking for donations to be made to the MS Society of Canada in his memory. He is survived by his wife, children and many other family members.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Canadians deserve a real choice': Justin Trudeau resigning, prorogues Parliament
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
WATCH LIVE
WATCH LIVE Justin Trudeau resigns as Liberal leader: Follow live updates
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stepped down as Liberal leader. Follow along for live updates from CTVNews.ca.
'Together, what a great nation it would be': Donald Trump, Elon Musk react to Justin Trudeau's resignation
Amid news of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation as leader of the Liberal party on Monday morning, reactions from prominent figures began piling in.
Justin Trudeau is resigning, what will be his legacy? A look back at key political eras
In a seismic political move, Justin Trudeau has announced his intention to step down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and prime minister, once his successor is named. This decision comes after more than nine years in the country's top job and nearly 12 years at the helm of his party.
Trudeau says Parliament is 'prorogued' until March. What does that mean?
In his resignation speech on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Parliament would be prorogued until March, which will give the Liberal party time to find a new leader ahead of an expected confidence vote and early election.
Justin Trudeau resignation: Here's what he said in Ottawa today
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a speech about his political future Monday morning outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. Here's the message he delivered to Canadians.
Alberta government signs new oil and gas agreement with Enbridge
The Alberta government has signed an agreement with Enbridge that Premier Danielle Smith says will increase exports of the province's heavy oil to the United States.
Trudeau leaves mixed global legacy as he exits during turbulent time, analysts say
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will leave the world stage with a legacy of promoting feminist causes and focusing on Asia, along with criticism that Canada's actions fell short of the government's rhetoric.
Judge condemns murder trial delay, asks lawyers to 'turn around' and look at the public 'we serve'
A Saskatoon murder trial opened on Monday with the judge sharply criticizing the time it’s taken to get to trial.
Kitchener
-
Social media famous corgi from Kitchener, Ont. rescues owner
A captivating canine is being hailed as a hero after one of his owners took a terrifying fall.
-
New threshold for reporting collisions in Ontario
Ontario has increased the threshold dictating when drivers are required to report a collision to police.
-
'Canadians deserve a real choice': Justin Trudeau resigning, prorogues Parliament
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
London
-
London MPs say the prime minister's decision to step down is the right one
London North West Liberal MP Peter Fragiskatos made his thoughts clear on Justin Trudeau’s leadership over the weekend, "I did call for the prime minister to resign for a number of reasons. His continued leadership was not tenable."
-
Strangulation attack inside Sarnia church sparks security review
The incident happened Saturday inside the Adoration Chapel at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church - the chapel is available 24 hours a day for those who know the door code to enter.
-
Body found on Lake Erie shoreline prompts death investigation
Elgin County OPP are investigating after a deceased individual was discovered on the shoreline of Lake Erie in the township of Malahide.
Windsor
-
Three gunpoint robbery suspects sought, one arrested
Windsor police officers have arrested one suspect and they are looking for three others after an armed robbery on University Avenue.
-
Selfish? Strategic? Windsor-Essex MP’s weigh-in on Trudeau resignation
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday he is proroguing Parliament and will resign once a new leader is elected to the Liberal Party of Canada.
-
St. Clair College students face uncertainty as strike deadline looms
St. Clair College students began their winter semester Monday under a cloud of uncertainty, with the threat of a faculty strike just days away.
Northern Ontario
-
'Canadians deserve a real choice': Justin Trudeau resigning, prorogues Parliament
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
Two Greater Sudbury drivers charged in racing incident on Hwy. 69
Ontario Provincial Police stopped to vehicles travelling more than double the speed limit on Highway 69 south of Greater Sudbury, early Friday morning.
-
Province boosts Sudbury's annual funding by $2.7M
The City of Greater Sudbury is one of more than 300 municipalities receiving an increase to their annual provincial funding this year.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Northwestern OPP share winter road safety tips
Police in northwestern Ontario are sharing tips to remain safe on the roads during cold winter weather.
-
Northwestern Ont. police seek help with historic robbery investigation
The Kenora Ontario Provincial Police detachment is requesting the public's assistance in identifying a suspect in a previously reported robbery.
-
Sault woman charged with assault, criminal harassment
A Sault Ste. Marie woman was arrested Friday following an earlier morning disturbance.
Ottawa
-
'Canadians deserve a real choice': Justin Trudeau resigning, prorogues Parliament
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
Ottawa's new north-south O-Train opens to the public
A large crowd gathered at Bayview Station just before 6 a.m. for a chance to be the first person to ride on the new north-south Line 2 Monday morning. The new north-south Line 2 and Line 4 runs from Bayview Station to Riverside South, with a link to the Ottawa International Airport.
-
Meet the winners of the CHEO Dream of a Lifetime Lottery grand prize
Tracey Lavergne of Woodlawn, Ont. is starting off the new year with a new Minto Dream Home in Manotick, the grand prize in the CHEO Dream of a Lifetime Lottery.
Toronto
-
'Canadians deserve a real choice': Justin Trudeau resigning, prorogues Parliament
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
Doug Ford snaps back at Donald Trump's Canada taunts with offer to 'buy Alaska'
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has snapped back at Donald Trump’s frequent taunts about treating Canada as a U.S. state with a counterproposal: buying Alaska.
-
Canadian alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding still has access to 'network of hitmen': U.S. prosecutors
U.S. prosecutors are seeking additional protections to keep the identities of confidential informants and co-operating witnesses hidden in the case against Ryan James Wedding, as the search continues for the Canadian ex-Olympian and alleged drug lord.
Montreal
-
'It was the right decision': Quebec politicians, residents react to Trudeau resignation
Elected officials in Quebec were quick to react to the major announcement in Ottawa Monday about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the path forward for the federal Liberal Party.
-
Man, 27, injured in possible stabbing in Plateau-Mont-Royal
A 27-year-old man was sent to hospital with serious injuries after a possible stabbing in broad daylight Monday afternoon.
-
Health authorities advise caution as flu season intensifies
Quebec's Health and Social Service Ministry says the influenza season is intensifying while cases of the common cold are stabilizing. However, the situation could change rapidly as students gradually return to school this week.
Atlantic
-
Names of double homicide victims in Chipman, N.B., released by police
Police in New Brunswick have released the names of two people who were killed in Chipman, N.B., late last year.
-
Maritime premiers, residents weigh-in on Trudeau resignation
Maritime leaders and residents react after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned as leader of the Liberal Party on Monday.
-
Suspicious death in Bible Hill under investigation: N.S. RCMP
The Nova Scotia RCMP is investigating a suspicious sudden death in Bible Hill, N.S.
Winnipeg
-
'Different life to the party': Manitoba weighs in on Trudeau’s resignation
Manitobans are reacting to Justin Trudeau’s resignation as Liberal leader and his decision to prorogue to Parliament until March to allow for a leadership race.
-
Injunction extended against protesters in Lemay Forest
A court-ordered injunction against a group protesting the clearing of a Winnipeg forest will remain in place.
-
Man charged with voyeurism at Winnipeg fitness facility
A 26-year-old man has been charged with voyeurism after he allegedly snapped photos of a child undressing in a change room at a Winnipeg fitness facility.
Calgary
-
'Canadians deserve a real choice': Justin Trudeau resigning, prorogues Parliament
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
Alberta government signs new oil and gas agreement with Enbridge
The Alberta government has signed an agreement with Enbridge that Premier Danielle Smith says will increase exports of the province's heavy oil to the United States.
-
Canadian oil stocks climb as industry absorbs news of Trudeau resignation
Canadian oil and gas stocks climbed Monday as the country's energy sector absorbed the news of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation.
Edmonton
-
'Canadians deserve a real choice': Justin Trudeau resigning, prorogues Parliament
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
Teen charged in stabbing at Alberta recreation centre
A teen boy has been charged after a stabbing at a northern Alberta recreation centre.
-
More than 1,000 Fort McMurray school support workers to strike on Tuesday
Public and Catholic school support workers in Fort McMurray are slated to walk off the job Tuesday morning after holding rotating strikes since Nov. 13.
Regina
-
Sask. RCMP make arrest in suspicious death on Piapot First Nation
Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested and charged Robin Kaiswatum, 40, with second degree murder in connection to a death on Piapot First Nation.
-
Saskatchewan politicians react to Trudeau's resignation announcement
Following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation announcement on Monday, reaction from politicians around the world quickly began to circulate, including in Saskatchewan.
-
'Everything I've ever dreamed of': Regina Cougars curling to represent Canada at World University Games
The University of Regina Men's Curling team is preparing for the international stage as they gear up as Team Canada for the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games.
Saskatoon
-
Judge condemns murder trial delay, asks lawyers to 'turn around' and look at the public 'we serve'
A Saskatoon murder trial opened on Monday with the judge sharply criticizing the time it’s taken to get to trial.
-
These 90-year-old identical twins were born in a Saskatchewan barn, but grew to love the city
Rose Worona and Anne Skwarchuk were born in 1935 on a farm near Hafford. Now, they’re celebrating their 90th birthday together.
-
Province calling for prospective builders on new Sask. Polytech campus in Saskatoon
The province is putting out the call to prospective builders for a major project on the new Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus planned in Saskatoon.
Vancouver
-
Hidden in plain sight: Human trafficking and the B.C. connection
You may not see it or even know it’s happening in your community. But it is an evil shrouded in the dark shadows of society, and even experts do not know its full scope.
-
'Canadians deserve a real choice': Justin Trudeau resigning, prorogues Parliament
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
-
CBSA says it acted in 'good faith' detaining solar panels in forced labour probe
The Canada Border Services Agency says it acted lawfully and in "good faith" when it detained nearly 50 containers of solar panels belonging to a Victoria, B.C., company over concerns they were made using forced labour.
Vancouver Island
-
CBSA says it acted in 'good faith' detaining solar panels in forced labour probe
The Canada Border Services Agency says it acted lawfully and in "good faith" when it detained nearly 50 containers of solar panels belonging to a Victoria, B.C., company over concerns they were made using forced labour.
-
Victoria police cleared of wrongdoing in crash that killed 24-year-old taxi driver
British Columbia's police oversight agency has cleared Victoria police officers of wrongdoing after an attempted traffic stop on a city street led to the death of an innocent man last year.
-
Hidden in plain sight: Human trafficking and the B.C. connection
You may not see it or even know it’s happening in your community. But it is an evil shrouded in the dark shadows of society, and even experts do not know its full scope.
