George Rerakis was laid to rest on Tuesday, 3 January following his passing on Christmas Day at the age of 94.
The service was held at Agios Dimitrios church in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne, the “true Cretan way”, like a hero.
In a unique funeral service George Rerakis’ friends and family farewelled him with mantinades in full traditional attire, celebrating his trajectory as a husband, father, grandfather and community benefactor before the final goodbye at the Fawkner Memorial Park Cemetery.
Speaking to Neos Kosmos, his son and well known restauranteur John Rerakis said “We wanted to farewell him by honouring his life and contribution how he wished us to”.
Read below the farewell letter that George Rerakis family shared with Neos Kosmos, celebrating his journey and legacy.
George Rerakis – A tribute to his life 3/10/1928 – 25/12/2022
Son of Nikolaos Rerakis and Aikaterina Rerakis (nee Patramanis).
Devoted husband of Katina Rerakis (nee Paraskevakis) for 63 years.
Loving father, “patera” to Mary, Nick, John and Anna.
Respected and loved father-in-law to Habib, Helena, Susie and Kim.
Proud grandfather, “papou” to George, Parissah, Kathryn, Yianni, Peter, Yiorgi, Nikita, Sotiri, Elise and Angelina.
He was one of seven children, Maria, YIanni, Popi, Zeta, Anna and Athina.
A loved brother-in-law, uncle, friend and neighbour to many.
A passionate and proud Cretan.
Today we celebrate George’s life.
George was born in Episkopi, Mylopotamou in Rethymnon, Crete – a small remote village in the foothills of Psiloriti adorned with grand Venetian thousand-year-old houses and humble homes like his; built stone-by-stone by his grandfather, Ioannis.
George was brought up in poverty and wartime. With his father Nikolaos serving as a soldier for 9 years during the Balkan and Asia Minor wars, George, then only a child, was sent across Crete to bring a sack of barley or wheat to help feed the family.
His father returned as an injured but decorated soldier, and today, his award for bravery is proudly worn by his grandsons.
Hardly a teenager when WW2 broke, out, George met his first ever Australians and even remembers the Australian soldier, Jack who along with two others, were being hidden by Cretans in an old farmhouse.
George had the risky mission of sneaking food across to brave Australian soldiers, and fondly remembers being gifted a watch.
Amongst other courageous tasks, George snuck papers for the Greek resistance by hiding them under a donkey’s saddle, “samari” from his village across German checkpoints, to a pharmacist in Herakleion.
When asked in recent years of such a dangerous mission assigned to a twelve-year old, George replied, “I didn’t hesitate as I wanted to do all I could for my country, my patrida”.
War-ravaged Greece could not provide George the necessary opportunities to further his education and to become a horticulturist, “yeoponos” in Greek. However, the simple Cretan life provided him with a love of Cretan culture especially singing mantinades, filotimo, and working and living off the land.
George had an adventurous spirit and fuelled by dreams of a better life; he arrived in Australia in 1954.
He started learning English during his long boat journey and with his innate, remarkable memory, succeeded.
Eager for adventure, George relished in his new life in Australia, never complaining of hard work, or difficult conditions.
He enjoyed his days in Bonegilla Migrant Camp, winning fruit picking competitions and even meeting fellow Cretans there who had musical instruments which meant he could continue his passion for song and company.
For most of his working life, George was a mail officer who possessed a sharp memory for postcodes.
With his self-taught English, George was able to help many migrants with their paperwork.
For many years, he worked the night shift at the GPO using the extra income to help his family get ahead.
He left the GPO to commence a business “Katinas Drapery” with his wife Katina in Glenroy selling anything you could imagine for the migrant household.
Upon meeting his beloved Katina, the 18-year-old beautiful Chaniotissa, it was instant love that led to their marriage in 1959 and four children.
George and Katina would work hard to ensure their children had the best they could afford, and to provide opportunities that were denied to them. The proudest moments for George were seeing his children and grandchildren carry on the traditions of his Greek and Cretan heritage, attain educational success, and create their own families.
Ever the gracious host, George would invite many people, and Katina would tirelessly prepare. The house was open for all and there were many, many parties and cherished memories for the family including spontaneous music nights with visiting Cretan musicians, and Katina making soup in the early hours of the morning for the welcomed guests. He was proud of his “Trapezia”.
He was a treasurer for over 17 years of the Arkadi, Cretan organisation.
George was also open-minded and embraced the carefree life in Australia; he had a love of sports, especially footy, and along with family friends, enjoyed many summer camping holidays in Warrnambool where he was affectionately known as “Bert” and Katina as “Shirl”. George had a wonderful sense of humour, and many laughs were had by all.
George’s passion was his garden – flowers and pot plants decorated his home and his vegetable and fruit crop were so abundant that it fed the families of his children and many more as well.
His “old age” came to us abruptly. These recent months brought a rapid decline in his everyday function. However, George remained ever positive and accepting.
George was an extremely honest, honourable and decent man – he would always help others as he could and always used to say ”Better you lose you sight, than lose your name”.
In his reflective last months, George expressed gratitude for his many years of living life to the fullest, and was acknowledging of the difficulties for Katina, the tireless carer for his failing body. Although he tried so hard to be with us for one last Christmas, George’s weariness took over, and it was not meant to be. He passed away peacefully, aged 94, providing us with many cherished moments for us to remember whenever we gather.
Treasuring the memories in our heart, we gain strength from his love for us and his love for life, nature and God and will always be extremely proud of our beloved father and grandfather.
