Page 9 - BLUE INK 2018

FLASHBACK

TRUE

ORIGINS

George and Aristea Mamidakis have had an unquestionable
impact on the spheres in which they worked. Their fascinating
history and the legacy left never lost the values of Cretan soul. As
with all great stories, this one starts with a great character.

01

eorge Mamidakis was born in Far-sighted and with a deep love for Crete, the
the small village of Anoskeli, near island of his birth, George Mamidakis bought
the town of Kissamos, in western the Minos Beach Hotel at Mirabello Bay in
Crete. He trained as a surveyor 1974. He later built two other hotel complexes.
Gand began his professional A multifaceted personality, George stood out
career in the Topographical Service. During the for his values, decency, honesty and inexhaust-
02
German occupation, he was a member of the ible humor. Aristea Mamidakis was born in
Resistance. His first business venture involved Chania and was the fifth child of the hoteliers
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the production of rose oil. A few years later, his Gregory and Maria Chalkiadakis.
intelligent and bold approach opened the door As a wife, Aristea Mamidakis was never in the
to communication and economic cooperation shadow of her husband George, but always
with Russia in the oil sector. by his side. She worked with him closely and
Mamidakis & Co was founded in 1955 and continued to work in their companies with
was very active in the field of bunkering the same passion after his death. Strong but
(refuelling seagoing vessels). With the at the same time gentle, sweet and demand-
creation of 540 gas stations, it distributed ing, generous and practical, she instilled
petroleum products throughout Greece. the values of family, morality and dynamic
Until 1983, it supplied Greece’s state refin- creativity in her two daughters, who contin-
eries with crude oil, using its own tankers. ued developing the Mamidakis businesses.
In 1973, Mamidakis Group imported Lada She grew older and enjoyed her six grand-
04
cars into Greece for the first time. children.

1.Portrait of Aristea Mamidakis as a young woman. 2. Aristea Mamidakis with her daughters, Marilena & Gina. 3. George Mamidakis. 4. Happy
moments of the couple George & Aristea Mamidakis.

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