Manilla has lost one its Icons, Paul Calokerinos, on the day of Paulís funeral with COVID -19 restrictions still in place Manilla peo- ple found another way to pay their respects by lining the main street as Paul cortege pass by.
Paul was the dearly loved husband of Helen (Elly) Loving father and father-in-law of Kathleen, Maria, & Joe and John Beloved brother & broth- er-in-law of Jim, Kathy & Chris, Vince (dec) & Viola and Maria (dec).
Paul migrated to Australia from Alexandrades, Kythera in 1948, sponsored by his uncle Bill Summers. After working in the Andrew Glitzosí Walcha CafÈ and then Tamworthís Ritz CafÈ run by the Varipatis brothers, he entered into partnership in 1950 with uncle – Bill Summers who had the Golden Bell CafÈ in Tamworth – and cousin – John Trevassaros – in two Manilla cafÈs: the Canberra CafÈ and the York CafÈ. Paul managed the York, and his cousin, the Canberra. In 1954, Paulís uncle sold his share of the businesses and eleven years later, so did Paul’s cousin. Not long after he was joined by his siblings Jim, Maria and Vince and much later little sister Kathy
In 1961, Paul returned to Kythera and later married Helen Petrohilos who also became his business partner in 1965. They have three Australian-born children: Kathy, Mary and John. In 1998 his son John, a trained chef, stepped up into the expanded family business that included the Skylight Restaurant. John has been by his side ever since. Paul welcomed Joe, Carmel and Theo Madirazza to the family with the marriage of Joe and Mary with a íBig fat Greek weddingî, a great family reunion.
He was passionate about allvthings ìolivesî and engaging with people from all walks of life, telling sto- ries over food and was always generous.
Famous for serving hand-cut chips and malt milkshakes and his signature fruit cocktail ìfreezeî in his Manilla Street shop for more than 65 years until retiring in 2017. He is remembered as a giant of the Manilla community. The 87-year-old passed away peacefully at the Manilla hospital on Thursday 27th August 2020 with family by his side.
Any who would like to sign Paulís condolence book they are available at Warm Discussions and at Manilla Express Office for signing.
Photos: – Paul in his beloved cafe with Mary, John and Helen.