Mourners came to pay their respects yesterday at the wake of Dimitrios “Jimmy” Haratsidis, 45, the murdered Bronx hot dog vendor who not only cooked their food, but warmed their hearts.
Outside the Ortiz Funeral Home in Kingsbridge, bus drivers, diner owners, cops and community members remembered Haratsidis, the Greek immigrant tragically gunned down last week during an attempted robbery, for his giving spirit and amicable nature.
“He’ll be irreplaceable,” said saddened community volunteer Maria Viera, 44, who recalled Haratsidis’ constant hellos and pleasant singing voice. “No more shish kebobs or hot dogs for me. That’s the end of that.”
During downtime on his route, bus driver Timothy Young, 47, would occasionally stop by Haratsidis’ cart on West Kingsbridge Street for lunch.
Yesterday, he paid a visit to Haratsidis’ chapel room, filled with loss and colorful wreaths.
“I’ll remember seeing him happy all the time,” said Young. “A guy who had nothing had a lot more than guys who have a lot more going for them.”
Almost every morning, Haratsidis sat in his favorite front table at Corky’s Restaurant.
Owner Steve Pabafikos served the soon-to-be murdered man his last breakfast and charged him the usual rate: a $3 flat fee for a friend.
Haratsidis ate bacon, a buttered roll and eggs. Like his disposition, he had his eggs sunny side up.
“He [spoke little English] and everybody knew him,” Pabafikos reflected with a sad smile. “What a guy we lost.”
Pabafikos said Haratsidis came to the city more than 10 years ago. While serving in the Greek navy, he met an American girl and followed her to Queens, marrying her and then divorcing quickly.
“He wanted to go back at first,” said Pabafikos.
But a cousin offered him a hot dog cart job in The Bronx, the diner owner said, and Haratsidis stayed, working long hours, winning hearts and putting a stamp on people’s memories.
A 9:30 a.m. memorial service is planned at the funeral home today, followed by a funeral service 30 minutes later at the Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Yonkers.