From the Editor
Posted by estiator at 11 June, at 06 : 32 AM Print
Peter Makrias Leaves a Legacy of Community Advocacy
THE staff of Estiator is very sad to inform our readers about the passing of Peter Makrias, this magazine’s founder, editor and publisher, on April 2019. A staunch advocate for the Greek American community, Peter had the singular vision to launch the first and only publication serving the community’s restaurant owners in 1988, after a long and storied career as a journalist. Panagiotis “Peter” Makrias was born on the island of Chios in 1932, the child of Asia Minor refugees. In Chios he had his first experiences working in the press, for the periodicals Proodos and Chiakos Laos. While attending Panteion University in Athens, where he earned a degree in Political Science and Economics, he also reported for the newspapers Athinaiki and Embros, and edited the monthly newspaper Chiaki. From 1955 to 1957, he served as the Director of Press Office for the Hellenic Navy. Upon completion of his service in the navy, he became Editor-in-Chief of Naftiliakis, a publication for the merchant marine industry, until 1960, when he moved to New York City.
In 1963, Peter was appointed Editor-in-Chief of Ethnikos Kyrikas, the daily newspaper of the Greek American community based in New York, continuing in that post for 16 years. With the retirement of publisher Babis Marketos in 1979, Peter left the paper and took over publication of the long-established Greek-language community magazine called New York, later making it bi-lingual and renaming it Greek American Review. In 1988, he created Estiator, publishing both periodicals. Our founder dedicated the last 32 years to promoting and serving as a resource for restaurateurs with this magazine, providing valuable information and recognizing the individuals and companies that are driving forces in the industry. Estiator also conducted symposiums and hosted networking events, including cruises and Caribbean getaway events that helped restaurateurs from around the country to meet in a relaxed atmosphere.
With his wife, Catherine, who predeceased him in 2013, Peter raised two daughters. He is survived by daughter Stephanie Makrias, a magazine professional who will continue her father’s mission as publisher of Estiator, and daughter Olga Burton, her husband, Craig, and their children, Katarina and William.
His time with Estiator kept Peter young at heart in his final years. He devotedly worked on this magazine from his hospital bed until his last days. Six months ago his daughter Stephanie moved to be near him at his home in South Florida, watching and learning as he ran his business in preparation to take on his mantle. Her 30-year background in magazines and her father’s genes has uniquely prepared her to continue his vision for the next generation of Greek American restaurateurs.
We thank our readers and advertisers for their years of loyalty and invite them to continue this journey with us into the bright future that shines for this industry.
