My Grandpa the Greek was born in
Skordalou, Crete, Greece. Just exactly when, no one really knows.
He died in October 1973 of complications from diverticulosis.
I am not sure when he came to the USA or when he
became a citizen.
He prospered with his restaurant and sent many people to
college who could not afford it. He gave jobs to those in need.
After World War II, he asked one of his loyal employees
if he had a dream. The man said he always wanted a ranch.
Not long after, Grandpa gave him the deed to his new ranch.
When Grandpa died, there was money to pay his property taxes
in the bank and a few hundred dollars he specified for
"the party". He wanted everyone to have a good time,
even when we were all very sad to have lost him.
This picture was taken when my grandfather owned a restaurant
in Berkeley, California called, the "F & M Grill", on Shattuck Avenue.
Grandpa bought from two Italian men named Frank and Mario.
One day, about 10 years after he bought it, someone mentioned that
Frank and Mario had long since retired and what did "F & M" stand for,
anyway?
Without missing a beat, and with his thick Greek accent, Grandpa answered,
"Fish and Meat"
On the back of this picture, in my grandfather's own hand
the words, "the old Greek" are written.
I like this picture because he is in his garden with his tomatoes.
I never him in his resautrant days, he retired years before I was born.
But I remember the garden and the seemingly endless buckets of fresh
fruit and vegetables. I remember the abundant meals and a table that was
open
to everyone.If you ever went hungry at Grandpa's, it was your own stupid
fault!
At table, there was always lots of wine and good, Greek food. And talking.
Conversation was important. Solving the world's troubles, rarely gossip.
If someone said something unkind about a person not present, Grandpa would
write on his notepad, "They have good heart".
Grandpa had to write his conversations. When I was 6, throat cancer
took his vocal cords and he breathed through a hole in his throat.
It is called a laryngectomy. He stopped smoking after the operation.
He lived for over 10 years afterwards.
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