George Gianakos, co-owner of Mr. G's Restaurant, dies at 63
New London — George Gianakos, co-owner of Mr. G’s Restaurant, died Wednesday of a heart attack. He was 63.
Gianakos, quite popular with the customers, ran the restaurant with his brother, Peter, and recently with nephew Peter Farnan, for 40 of the 55 years it has been open.
“He was ‘Georgie G.’ That was George. It was either ‘Georgie G’ or ‘Where’s George?’” Farnan said. “Everybody loved him. The guy had a heart of gold. He would do anything for anyone. He never said no to a charity or a nonprofit. Gracious and good to his staff, many of whom have been here 20-plus years. The entertainment factor between him and his brother is what people come down here for. It was part of the show.”
George Gianakos leaves behind a son, Michael, who recently graduated from Providence College and was a two-sport athlete at Waterford High School. He leaves behind a daughter, Olivia, who recently completed her freshman year playing lacrosse at the University of Hartford.
“He loved his kids so much. They were his life,” Farnan said. “He lived for them. He was so excited about Olivia’s lacrosse career. He was so proud of Michael who did great at PC. Two great kids with bright futures ahead of them.”
Parents Louis and Chrysula opened Mr. G’s in 1966, after closing the New Willow Restaurant at 24 Bank St. Mr. G’s is a remodeled fruit and produce market in Hodges Square. Peter and George Gianakos worked at the restaurant from the time they were 10. Peter retired in 2020.
“George was a huge part of the place,” Peter Gianakos said. “He was my brother and I loved him. Everybody has a George story.”
George Gianakos’ close friend, Jack Johnson, a loyal G’s patron and one of the region’s prominent dentists, said, “George didn’t have a bad bone in his body. He never said no to anybody, not for anything. He was as fun as they come. He lived his life the way he wanted to.”
Farnan, who also has a job in California, recently decided to commit to staying in Connecticut to help his uncle run Mr. G’s, ensuring many more years of pizzas, grinders and camaraderie with a loyal customer base.
“I was talking to Chris (Zingus, one of Gianakos’ closest friends, who runs Christopher’s in Groton),” Farnan said. “He said ‘Petey, you know, he died happy because he was so happy to know that you were staying.’ I know how much Mr. G’s meant to him.”
The family announced on social media that Mr. G’s “will be closed until further notice.”
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