Minas N. Stavrakis – “Mino” to his friends and family – was a generous and loyal husband, father, pop-pop, son, brother, uncle and friend to many. He left this world peacefully on December 6, 2023, surrounded by his adoring and heartbroken family.

Mino was known for always giving in abundance, whether it was food, friendship or humor. He was a natural comedian until the very end, constantly making those around him howl with laughter and shake their heads at his inappropriate - yet perfectly timed - jokes. Like his favorite comedian, Rodney Dangerfield, he was razor sharp, hilarious and never missed a beat.

Mino was most at home in the kitchen. He enjoyed every opportunity to cook for those he loved, and it was his food that so often inspired people’s love for him. Learning from his parents and mastering his skills as a restaurateur for over four decades, Mino’s unforgettable pastitsio, rice pudding and long list of soups were favorites of family, friends and customers alike.

Mino was born to Greek immigrant parents, Nicholas and Georgia Stavrakis, on December 29, 1953 in Whitesville, WV. Mino’s fun-loving personality would keep the family’s energy high as they traversed the eastern states, finally settling in Union, NJ in 1957. Nicholas and Georgia instilled the values of hard work, hospitality and generosity in all their children; their example would be the foundation of Mino’s character as he grew up.

As a kid, Mino was fun and adventurous, playing with his brothers, lassoing his little sister, Fannie, and getting into trouble around town. He was inseparable from his little brother, Tom. Born only 13 months apart, they were practically twins. They were such a pair that one day a friend gave Tom the nickname “Plus.” “Well, if he’s ‘Minus’, then you must be ‘Plus’,” he said.

Like many Greek immigrants including their father, Mino’s passion for food led him and his older brother, Michael, to enter the restaurant business. In 1972, when Mino was just 19, the brothers purchased the Country Squire Restaurant in Warren, NJ, where they worked side by side for almost 45 years.

Mino quickly positioned himself as a man vital to his community, serving dishes brimming with warmth, perfectionism and skill, entertaining patrons with his wit and charm and building lifelong friendships, all from behind the busy breakfast and lunch counter.

It was at the Squire where he’d meet the love of his life, Corinne Carrar, the daughter of one of his regulars. As Mino and Cory would both later declare, it was love at first sight. The couple married in 1981 and would go on to welcome six beautiful children, strengthening their unbreakable bond while building a home, raising their kids and (of course) running the diner. Their children would say, sure, they were raised in Warren, but mostly it was at the Squire.

When he wasn’t at the restaurant, Mino served as Commissioner and Coach for Warren Little League, where his four sons played for over a decade. He was a devoted father who dedicated many afternoons, nights and weekends sharing his passion for sports (loved the Pats, hated the Yanks), classic cars, golfing, camping, fishing and hunting with his family. He enjoyed a good poker game or trip to Atlantic City with his brothers and buds. Many birthday parties, Sunday dinners and big games were celebrated with family and friends, nieces and nephews, all within the warmth of Mino and Cory’s home.

He was a friend and supporter of the Warren Police & Fire Departments, welcoming them into his home and his restaurant with enthusiasm and some lighthearted chop-busting. Every year, he looked forward to contributing his culinary skills to the Washington Valley Fire Department Pancake Breakfast. Mino forever weaved his generosity and salt-of-the-earth attitude into the fabric of Warren Township. The flags in town are flying at half staff in his memory.

In 2016, Mino and Cory sold their share of the Country Squire and moved to Fairlawn, Ohio, where their eldest son, Nick, had settled with his family. To the surprise of no one, Mino rapidly made a mark on his new community through his endless generosity, especially at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron. True to form, Mino jumped at the opportunity to cook for their volunteers while they prepared meals and packed groceries for Akron’s less fortunate. He said that the friends he made in his new hometown were some of the strongest bonds he’d ever forged, despite coming later in life.

Mino is survived by his devoted wife of 42 years, Cory, and his children and their spouses, Nicholas & Emily, Billy & Tiffany, Mike & Sophia, Matt & Rachelle and Cassandra & Jimmy. He also leaves behind nine adorable grandchildren, Niko, Anthony, Colton, Robby, Gino, EJ, Katie, Kallie, Paige, plus three on the way. He is also survived by his siblings Michael, Tom & Maria and Fannie & Frixos, his mother-in-law June Carrar, his devoted dog Sadie, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his baby daughter Katie Ruth, his parents Nicholas & Georgia, his brother and sister-in-law Louis & Sharon, his father-in-law Emile J. Carrar and his gentle giant pitbull, Deuce.

More than a few years back, Mino led the charge as the southpaw pitcher for the Country Squire Blue Jays. He would head onto the mound on warm summer afternoons, cheered on by family and friends, while his young kids toddled around the ballpark.

Last week, several blue jays were seen chirping just outside his window.

When you see one, think of Mino.

“And,” as he always said, “that’s the story.”

Donations in Mino’s memory can be made to the Good Samaritan Ministry at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation (Akron, OH). The Good Samaritan Ministry offers groceries to thousands of people a year, as well as other services including hot meals. 100% of your donation will benefit these good works. To donate, please visit: https://www.osvhub.com/greek-orthodox-church-of-the-annunciation/giving/funds

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