FAMILY and friends have shared tributes to a much-loved seafront trader who passed away after a short battle with cancer last week at the age of 86.

Antonios “Tony” Zinonos was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather as well as a well-known friendly face on Southend’s seafront for more than 30 years.

Mr Zinonos, who was born on January 29, 1931, came to England in the Fifties after finishing his national service in Cyprus, where he was an officer for five years.

His first job was as head chef at Cotgroves restaurant in Southend High Street which he did for 20 years.

Daughter Ellie Zinonos, 45, from Southend, said: “He absolutely loved it but then he went and opened his own Greek restaurant in Queens Road, called Acropolis.

“He didn’t run it for very long because the opportunity to open the fish and chip shop came along.

“He tried to run them both for a while but he closed the restaurant eventually because it wasn’t doing as well as the fish and chip shop.”

Mr Zinonos opened Ye Olde Chippy, in Marine Parade, Southend, in 1983 and grew it from a small takeaway to a seafront institution and one of the most popular fish and chip shops in the town.

Ms Zinonos added: “I think its popularity grew because it was very much a family business.”

Father of four children himself, Mr Zinonos was grandfather to 13 children and great grandfather to 9 others.

Ms Zinonos said: “Every day the family would get together.

“We were all there when he died in the early hours.

“My dad was so accommodating and very generous, he had time for everyone. He was very well-respected by the community.

“He had a very warm and funny character and loved to cook and entertain. That’s why he was so well known, one of those people your mates remember because he had so much energy.”

Martin Richardson, owner of Happidrome in Southend, said: “He was like a part of the furniture down here. Everyone is going to really miss him. He always had time for everybody and every day I expect to see him shuffling down the seafront. It’s a big loss for the seafront and Southend as a whole.”

Simon Woodford, General Manager at Genting Westcliff, where Mr Zinonos was a regular customer, said: “We were saddened to hear of Tony’s passing; he was a popular visitor to the casino and will be sorely missed by all the Genting team and our customers.

"We’d like to extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.”

Known for his flat cap, Mr Zinonos was also a passionate member of the Greek community and a trustee of the Greek Orthodox Church of St Barbaras.

Ms Zinonos said: “That was his life. He didn’t attend all the time but he did so many charity events for them and constantly raised funds to keep them going.”

After being diagnosed with lung cancer in October last year, Mr Zinonos underwent treatment but sadly passed away in his sleep on February 21. The funeral will take place on March 23 at St Barbaras, in Salisbury Avenue from 1pm. There will be a procession along the seafront from 12.30pm.