SDGF24

45 In loving memory of Pandelis (Pete) Begakis , accomplished musician and founding member of The Olympians Greek Band, who have been a staple of Greek Music entertainment at our San Diego Greek Festival for several decades. We will always remember his musical talent and the kindness of his soul expressed by his beautiful and genuine smile. He touched us in so many ways and we will never forget him. Pete was a man of many talents besides his love of music. He was a hard worker and he loved helping out on his parents’avocado grove in Fallbrook. As a young boy he loved to collect and sell the avocados to the locals. At age 16, as soon as he got his driver’s license, he backed dance groups and performed at the“Evening of Mediterranean Magic”- a show that was part of the first Folk Dance Festival, which started in San Diego in 1976. Over the years, Pete cultivated countless deep, life-long friendships that started in the St. Spyridon community from his early years to present. The San Diego Greek Festival has always been one of his favorite festivals to play for. Everyone treated him with love and he always had a good time entertaining everyone. His voice has been the soundtrack to countless wed- dings, the baptisms that followed, and sometimes the weddings of the generation that followed! The San Diego community was literally where Pete became the musical entertainer that he was. We miss him dearly, but we take comfort in that he will always live in our hearts and through the countless memories, photos, videos, and stories he left behind.