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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN THANOUKOS
WHEREAS, a highly successful restaurateur, John Thanoukos was as equally devoted to his family; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thanoukos emigrated to the United States from the small southern Greek town of Stadio in 1970, where he had been a potato farmer and where he would later be remembered as a generous benefactor; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thanoukos began working in restaurants in Chicago as a busboy and short order cook, eventually opening many successful restaurants: Hub's in Skokie in 1976; a second Hub's established in 1981 at 5540 N. Lincoln in Chicago; Bub's at 5800 W. Irving Park Road in Chicago; Goodi's in Niles; GRK Greek Kitchen in Chicago's Loop; and GRK Kitchen at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thanoukos' success in the restaurant industry was attributable to - aside from his sweat equity - his willingness to innovate; for example, he was one of the first local restaurateurs to feature the now-popular cones of gyros meat that turn on vertical spits; and
WHEREAS, other factors in Mr. Thanoukos' success were his commitment to high quality ingredients and his skill in improving upon conventional recipes; and
WHEREAS, with his own recipe for tzatziki - a zingy sauce made of sour cream and cucumber - Mr. Thanoukos inspired a customer, a soon-to-be writer at Saturday Night Live, to create a televised skit celebrating Mr. Thanoukos' tagline, "You like-a da juice, ah?"; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thanoukos was always sensitive to the plight of fellow immigrants; one of his restaurant managers was originally hired shortly after she had arrived from Bosnia, without knowing English; another employee spoke of how Mr. Thanoukos had been like a father to him over the course of the 23 years he was in Mr. Thanoukos' employ; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thanoukos' care extended to his customers as well; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thanoukos married the love of his life, Angie, who had immigrated to the United States from Greece as a young girl; they were married for 40 years; and
WHEREAS, to their union, three children were born; as parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thanoukos placed high importance upon education, and their three children grew up to enjoy successful careers of their own as well as keeping a hand in the family restaurant business; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thanoukos enjoyed throwing big parties at home, during which he would often roast a whole lamb; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thanoukos loved his French bulldog, Capone; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Thanoukos never lost touch with his homeland, often traveling with his family to Greece several times each year; and
WHEREAS, with the passing of Mr. Thanoukos we have lost a beloved and magnanimous man who launched successful restaurants and who cared for his family and communities, here and in Greece, all with equally devoted fervor.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that John Thanoukos will be remembered in the hearts of all the people whom he touched and loved.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that John Thanoukos is survived by his wife, Angie, sons, Billy and Peter, and daughter, Vickie.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to the family of John Thanoukos, and that it also be spread upon the proceedings of this honorable body.
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