Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

June 25, 2026

CHARLOTTE – Panagiotis “Peter” Nikolaos Marinakos, of Charlotte, died Thursday, June 25, 2026, surrounded by his family, after a long battle with multiple myeloma.  He will be remembered for his love of family, generosity, work ethic, infectious laugh, funny stories, great fondness for his birth village, and mentorship of many restaurateurs.

Pete was born in Oria, Kastri, Arkadia, Greece, in 1940, to Nikolaos and Efstathia (Sarantakos) Marinakos.  At age 19, he immigrated to Toronto, Canada, where he entered the restaurant industry as a dish washer.  Over the years, he worked his way up and eventually opened and operated The Maple Leaf Restaurant, where he first met Bessie, whom he married in 1968. 

In 1974, Pete and Bessie moved to the then-small city of Charlotte, where they opened Liberty Pizza, and made the first pizza delivery in North Carolina.  They also had Liberty East, the much-beloved diner on Independence Blvd; Independence Wholesale, servicing many Greek restaurants in the area; and, eventually, Agora Greek Market.  Many of his friends will remember coming by the warehouse for a game of tavli, or to gather to make epic quantities of tzatziki for the Greek Festival. 

Pete is survived by his wife of 58 years, Vasiliki “Bessie” (Economopoulos); daughter, Efstathia “Stella”; son, Nikolaos “Nick” (Megan); daughter, Konstantina “Dina” Oara (David); grandsons, Peter, John, Marco, and Adrian; sisters, Eleni (Stathopoulos) and Vasiliki “Kiki” (Matalas); and several nephews and nieces.  He was preceded in death by his sister, Panagiota “Pota” Mavroidis and his brother, Yannis.

Many thanks to Pete's medical team, who so lovingly cared for him, especially: Dr. Peter Copsis, Dr. Peter Voorhees, and VIA Health Partners.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM on Monday, June 29, 2026, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

Flowers are welcome; or memorials may be offered in memory of Pete to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. 

May His Memory Be Eternal.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.