The world of baking burns a little less brightly with the passing of baking industry icon and urban development legend John Paterakis. Mr. Paterakis passed peacefully on this past Sunday morning, October 16, surrounded by family and loved ones.
“Mr. Paterakis was a towering figure in the baking industry, and it is with good reason he was one of the first inducted into the Baking Hall of Fame,” said American Bakers Association President & CEO Robb MacKie. “His quiet spirit and tenacious drive built the largest family bakery in the country. His life is the quintessential American immigrant success story that is the heart of the baking industry. His leadership of ABA and the industry will be sorely missed.”