He was a North Bergen resident known up and down the streets of Weehawken as “the hot dog man.”
For 45 years of his life, George Pashalidis prided himself on it, as he slung frankfurters out of his cart on a busy corner.
But this past Sunday, the 78-year-old Pashalidis died unexpectedly. His vintage hot dog cart and endearing smile are no longer seen on the streets.
The Reporter interviewed Pashalidis just one week prior to his death for a light-hearted story about how to eat a hot dog. This week, The Reporter returned to his corner on Park Avenue and Cooper Place, which has become the site of a vigil where residents have been passing by, learning of the sad news, and sharing their stories and memories.
He often extended credit for youngsters who bought his hot dogs.
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“He was always a nice guy,” said Joan Tireny. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
Her husband Jim reflected on Pashalidis’ generosity – he would often throw in a soda for customers at no extra cost.
Armando Junco, also of Weehawken, has benefited from that generosity firsthand. Since he was 8, Junco had been buying hot dogs from Pashalidis, who often extended credit to such youngsters and other customers who didn’t have cash on them.
Junco said he was glad to know he had already settled up his bill with Pashalidis prior to his passing.
“I remember him selling the best hot dogs,” said Junco. “He was a good person.”
As of press time, a memorial was being planned by a friend of Pashalidis, to take place on his old corner – and following in the footsteps of his own generosity, free hot dogs were to be given out in his memory.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.
How do you eat a hot dog?
Recently, we asked our readers, “What’s the right way to eat a ‘dog’?” in celebration of National Hot Dog Month. This week, we revisit that question in honor of Weehawken’s own “hot dog man,” the late George Pashalidis.