John Pagkos competed in canoeing at the 1956 and 1960 Olympics. He was AAU champion in K-1 10K in 1954-56, and tied for first in K-2 in 1956. He also won titles with his Yonkers Canoe Club in K-4 in 1954-55. Pagkos was inspired by his uncle, Paul Bochnewich, who competed at the 1952 Olympics in canoeing for the United States. Pagkos competed in the 4x500 kayak relay at the 1960 Olympics and after failing to qualify for the 1964 Olympics, put the kayak away for a time. He worked in sales and travelled extensively. In the 1980s he bought a kayak and started competing in masters kayaking events. In 2001 Pagkos retired and he and his wife settled on Callawassie Island, a barrier island off the coast of South Carolina. He co-founded the Callawassie Paddlers Club, which teaches local residents, children, and takes people on kayaking tours around the island.
United States