'A PIECE OF BRADFORD IN HEAVEN'

Bradford's beloved George Mavrakakis — a father, brother, son, friend, and restaurateur — whose life was taken too soon in a tragic collision on May 17, will have the legacy of his Pioneer restaurant continued by his brother, Themo.

On June 3, the Pioneer Restaurant

in downtown Bradford reopened after weeks of staying closed following the death of George, who owned it for the last 14 years.

On reopening day, everything

Themo touched in the restaurant brought back memories of George, like opening the mayonnaise jar George was the last to

close.

Everything he touched, was last touched by George.

And it's the heart of the community that George touched the most.

Rhonda Emmel met George 14 years ago when he became the new owner of Pioneer Restaurant. He bought it back from those who had purchased it from his parents — the original owners of the 40-year-old restaurant.

Emmel said the loss of George has sent "a piece of Bradford in heaven."

"It's definitely a loss for Bradford, but now that his younger brother is taking over ... the Pioneer family is still here," Emmel said.

There aren't enough words for Emmel to describe to George. She said he was a gentle giant, standing at six foot two, and would give you the shirt off his back.

"He had respect for everybody and he made sure you knew it, that he was honoured that you came into the restaurant," Emmel said.

George and Emmel were good friends who would often hang out at a bar, have a couple of beers, and Emmel would laugh at his random delightful raunchy jokes. One time, George had bought an overly large zucchini from a local farmer, and he'd joke to Emmel, "Hey, I got something for ya."

"Someone gave him a tomato and it was huge, and being six foot two, you can imagine the size of his hands, and he'd be, like, 'here, take it, go home and make a sandwich'," Emmel said.

At the restaurant, when her mom asked George for a small pancake, he'd purposely make the smallest pancake the size of a toonie to be funny.

"We were always joking around," Emmel said.

On May 28, Emmel and members of the community paid tribute to George with a vigil that started at 124 Simcoe Rd., and ended at Pioneer Restaurant.

About 60 people attended the vigil, including Mayor Rob Keffer, and 40 people watched online, many of whom are family and friends of George's in Greece.

"This is a time to remember, to reminisce, to think of George," Keffer said at the vigil. "We are here tonight to be together to remember, to say prayers, and to show George's family what a difference he made in the town of Bradford West Gwillimbury."

Keffer also announced the donation of a bench with a plaque on it in memory of George, under the gazebo at 200 Holland Court.

On it, it was also say, "Always in our hearts," in both English and Greek, Emmel said.

On a Facebook group created by Emmel to remember George, she said the family has extended a big heartfelt thank you to the community for all they have done.

"They're so grateful for what the town has done for them," Emmel said.

Members of the community are pleased the legacy of Pioneer Restaurant will be carried on by Themo.

Laura Martin, a Bradford resident who lives in the building where the restaurant is located, at 95 Holland St. W., said she's happy Themo is carrying on the Pioneer.

"He has big shoes to fill,

but I know with the community supporting him, he can do it," Martin said.

"I haven't been back to the restaurant as yet, but I will.

"I'm just not ready," Martin said.

George's parents left June 6 for Greece, where his resting place will be.

But his memory will live on in Bradford at the Pioneer

Restaurant.

"George is there," Emmel said. "George will always be there."

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: When the Pioneer Restaurant in Bradford was reopened following the death of the owner, George Mavrakakis, who died in a

May 17 collision, reporter Aileen Zangouei spoke with members of the community to see what this means to the town.