Safari Niagara co-founder Tim Tykolis dies at 66

Timothy “Tim” Michael Tykolis, the Stevensville entrepreneur who co-founded Safari Niagara and served as its first general manager, died at home on February 23 surrounded by family at age 66.

The death of one of the park’s founding figures arrived just weeks before the park prepares for its 2026 season, prompting staff to reflect on his role in building the Stevensville attraction and consider how his legacy will continue as the organization expands its programming and community work.

Tykolis attended Ridgeway-Crystal Beach High School and later worked in the family landscaping and garden businesses founded by his father, Stephen Tykolis.

After their father’s death, Tykolis and his siblings transformed a private hobby farm into a wildlife and nature park. Safari Niagara opened in 2002–then known as ZOOZ before changing its name in 2009–on a 150-acre property in Stevensville.

The park later earned accreditation from Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums and developed programs centred on conservation education and family recreation.

Taryn Hipkiss, current general manager of Safari Niagara, told Fort Erie Radio staff members learned of Tykolis’s death after years of knowing he battled with cancer.

“It was obviously a sad day,” said Hipkiss. “It’s a loss to Safari Niagara, to the Niagara community and to everyone that knew Tim.”

Tykolis received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in 2022 and spoke publicly about the illness while raising money for research through a Movember campaign.

Staff gathered informally after the news spread and spoke about how he shaped their careers and the workplace culture at the park.

“Everybody has an individual story, either a funny story or something that Tim did that really touched them,” said Hipkiss.

Tykolis remained connected to Safari Niagara after stepping back from daily management. According to Hipkiss, he continued to mentor staff and maintain a presence in the park community.

“Tim is a very kind, compassionate, and had a calm, strong leadership,” she said.

Many employees who started in entry-level positions remained at Safari Niagara for years, according to Hipkiss, a pattern she attributes to the culture he cultivated.

“You could come to Tim. He had an open door policy, very kind and a great listener,” she said.

The park also expanded charitable work during his leadership, including seasonal food drives, toy drives and community events organized around holidays and family programming.

“His impact has been instrumental in the culture that’s been created here,” said Hipkiss.

His obituary describes a long-time commitment to family and community alongside his work at the park. He is survived by his wife Kim, sons Stephen and Cole and granddaughter Sophie, as well as siblings and extended family members.

Safari Niagara remains a family-operated business, with members of the Tykolis family continuing to take part in the operation of the Stevensville park.

Staff and management have not yet announced a formal memorial initiative, though discussions have begun about recognizing the role Tykolis played in building the organization.

“It’s definitely something that’s on all of our minds, how to continue to honour Tim and his role that he played in founding and developing Safari Niagara to what it is today,” said Hipkiss.

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