ATHANASIOS (TOM) PANOPOULOS

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ATHANASIOS (TOM) PANOPOULOS April 9, 1927 June 27, 2009 Peacefully, Saturday, after a long illness. Tom was one of the last of Winnipeg's colourful 1950s-era Greek immigrant restaurant owners. In 1956 he bought his first restaurant, The Manhattan, in partnership with brother-in-law Jimmy Ginakes. In the 1970s, he partnered with brother George Panopoulos at The Original Manhattan Drive-In, at Portage and Young. And in the 1980s, he bought The Original Food Bar on Main Street. Tom is remembered for his love of family and work, fishing and hunting, and for his great smile. He is survived by his wife of 52 years Christine, daughter Athena aka Sonia, son Themistoklis aka Tim, grandchildren Foti, Katerina and Thanasi, sisters Mary Ginakes, Yota Doussis, Rita Lambriades (Greece) and Sophia Voulgaris (Florida) and numerous other family members. He was predeceased by his brother George. Prayers will be held this evening 7 p.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2255 Grant Avenue. As he wished, Tom will be buried from the family church, in the family cemetery in Palouki, Greece, the village where he was born. 668-3151

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 29, 2009