George Proferes, 75
George Thomas Proferes, a longtime owner of the Paradise restaurant in Sag Harbor Village, which was in his family for close to 80 years, died at Huntington Hospital on Friday. He was 75 and had pneumonia, after having had lung problems for 30 years, his wife, Carroll Proferes, said.
Mr. Proferes grew up in the restaurant business. His father’s uncle started the restaurant, under the name the Sag Harbor Candy Kitchen, in June 1914, in the Main Street building where the Variety Store is now. His father later took over the business, and, in 1941, around the time it moved farther south on Main Street, the name was changed to the Paradise.
His family remembered him as “a great role model,” not only for his children, but also for dozens of Sag Harbor teenagers whom he employed at his restaurant over the years. “He befriended them all and taught them the value of hard work and of having a little fun too,” his family wrote.
After he sold the business in 1990, he continued to work — at the deli counter at Dreesen’s and then at Schmidt’s, which went on to become the Hampton Market Place, both in East Hampton. He worked until his knees gave out, his wife said. He stayed on the job because “he liked all the people,” she said.
In recent years, Mr. Proferes could be found working for the Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce in the windmill at Long Wharf during the summer, telling people all about the village in which he grew up. He was also a member of the Sag Harbor Lions Club. During Harborfest, just a couple of weeks before he died, he was happy to see so many of his neighbors and old friends.
“When he sold the Paradise, he always told his customers, ‘You’re going to miss me when I’m gone,’ and they surely did,” his family said.
He was born at Southampton Hospital on Nov. 6, 1938, to Theodore N. Proferes and the former Mary Elizabeth Sherry. Growing up on Hampton Street, he was the third of six children. After he graduated from Pierson High School in 1956, he went to work in the restaurant until he was drafted. He served in the Army from 1961 to 1963.
Mr. Proferes met Carroll Olsen while she was spending the summer with her family in Sag Harbor. They married in 1960 and raised four children in the village. They moved to Wickatuck Drive in Noyac eight years ago.
In addition to his wife of 54 years, he is survived by three children, Thomas Proferes of San Diego, Tracey Proferes Signore of Suffern, N.Y., and Jody Proferes Miller of Sag Harbor. Another daughter, Nicole Marie Proferes, died before him.
He leaves five siblings: Nicholas Proferes of Astoria, Queens, Donald Proferes of Huntington, Theodora DiSunno of Amagansett, Christine Becker of Wainscott, and Frances Swift of La Crosse, Wisc. Three grandchildren, who affectionately referred to him as “Grumpa,” and many nieces and nephews also survive.
A wake was held on Monday at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in Sag Harbor. A funeral service was held on Tuesday at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in the village, followed by burial at St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
Memorial donations have been suggested to the Sag Harbor Fire Department, P.O. Box 209, Sag Harbor 11963, or the Sag Harbor Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 2725, Sag Harbor.