MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Athos Charalambous Kolokotronis, a beloved father, husband, friend and businessman, passed away on 22 March, a day before his 80th birthday.
He arrived in Mossel Bay in 1975 with his beautiful wife Maria for a visit and immediately fell in love with the little town.
"His fierce love and loyalty for Mossel Bay and its community never wavered and he was known for his generosity and powerful business acumen," said his daughter, Dr Elenia Kolokotronis.
She confirmed he died of heart failure at Life Bay View Private Hospital. "He was supposed to have passed away long ago - even the doctors overseas and here said he carried on for so long because he was so strong."
Athos owned an array of restaurants and businesses over the years in Mossel Bay.
He owned the restaurants, Poort, Plaka and Red Lobster. He also owned Mossel Bay Wholesalers, Hurteria Hotel in George and Golden Rendezvous Hotel in Heiderand, Beef Barron Restaurant, Hungry Wolf and Chow.
When he was retired, he spent six months in Cyprus and six months in Mossel Bay each year.
Athos' other daughter, Georgia, who lives in Greece, said that everywhere he went, people loved Athos and told the daughters stories of his antics and heroic acts.
She remembers him, his friends and their sons, sitting around talking loudly about life's adventures, all doubled over with laughter.
Georgia remembers catching Athos recounting tales of shark bites, snakes, crocodile attacks and riding elephants - the men sitting on the edge of their seats.
And she remembers him roaring, "Hello my friend!" to everyone, and meaning it. You were really his friend.
"And now, dad, in the silence since you've left, it's like the world is holding its breath for a while while it reshuffles itself into a reality without you here. We love you, papa, and we hold out for a future all together again. We have been so very lucky to have these beautiful years together."
On behalf of her mother and Georgia, Elenia thanked the Mossel Bay community for a lifetime of good memories.
"To the intensive care unit staff, please know that words are never enough to express the humbled gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for the love, patience, care, support and understanding you all expressed to our father, to my mother and to me."
"To our father, Atho [their affectionate family name], how grateful and humble we are to be your daughters. What an honour to have your blood in our veins. To live and learn our history, culture and wisdom through you and because of you.
"You, our rough-cut diamond. Our protector. Our hero. Know your three women stand beside you in this life and into your next, our heads held high, [because of] the beautiful life that was exceptionally lived.
Elenia continued: "The pride I felt, standing by your side as you went from this journey on earth to the next cannot be matched. Fearless. Bold. Brave. Beautiful. Dignified. Our warrior soldier. Our multifaceted king. We thank you. We love you. We celebrate you. We salute you."
Athos' celebration of life will be held at the Greek Orthodox Church of Archangels in George on Thursday, 27 March at 10:30.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
