Kane’s Donuts owner Delios remembered for charity, family values

SAUGUS – If you were out of work and needed food, Peter Delios was the kind of guy who quietly made sure you had some.Kane’s Donuts president Paul Delios on Wednesday remembered his late father as someone who “loved Saugus,” and always gave back to and took care of the people around him.”He learned that at an early age growing up in Greece during World War II,” said Delios on Wednesday. “He was the oldest boy left in the village during the war and had to take care of all the women and children.”Peter Delios, who bought Kane’s Donuts in 1988, died Monday at the age of 81 after a long illness.Prior to taking over Kane’s, Peter Delios owned several businesses in the area including Mrs. Foster’s Donuts in Lynn from 1969 to 1986, Tony’s Spa in Chelsea from 1959 to 1967 and the West Lynn Market from 1957 to 1959.”He thought he was going to retire, but he couldn’t sit still, so he saw that Kane’s was available so he and my mom bought Kane’s, and we’ve been here ever since,” said Paul Delios. “Dad was kind of a silent little angel for people. Even when he had Mrs. Foster’s in Lynn, people that would be out of work and needed food, he would always make sure there was some food dropped off at their home.”Peter Delios turned the business over to his children, Steve, Peter, Maria, Catherine and Paul in 2007, and instilled in them a sense of integrity and hard work.”We’re all holding together because that’s what he wanted,” said Paul Delios. “He wanted us to stay together and stay strong. We love him and we’re going to miss him. We’re grateful that we still have mom with us. She’s still part of the rock that we rely on. It’s a difficult time, but we’ll weather it and we’ll always remember what he taught us.”Paul Delios said he hopes he and his brothers and sisters can do their father proud and carry on the tradition of Kane’s Donuts through the next generation of the Delios family.To do that, Paul Delios said it’s all about making their famously huge doughnuts with fresh ingredients and treating customers like family.”Growing up Greek you ate tomatoes and cucumbers in the summer time and in the winter time you eat other vegetables,” he said. “It’s the same thing with the doughnuts. When dad said honey for the honey dip, he meant put honey in the honey dip. Don’t call it glaze, call it honey dip. If you have a black raspberry doughnut, you better damn well make sure there’s black raspberry in the doughnut.”Selectmen Chairman Michael Serino said he’s known the Delios family for more than 30 years and was saddened to hear about Peter Delios’ passing.”That’s a great family and a great family business in Saugus,” said Serino. “They’re like family for me down in East Saugus. My heart goes out to the family. I’ve been going there since I was a teenager. They’re like family to the residents. They’re great people and I certainly send my sympathies.”Selectmen Vice Chairman Steve Castinetti said Peter Delios’ death was a “loss for the community.””They’ve been a staple of the community for more than 25 years. He’ll certainly be missed,” he said.Since his father’s passing on Monday, Paul Delios said he appreciates the outpouring of support from Saugus and the surrounding community.”We’re getting a lot of phone calls and hearing from people all around,” he said. “It’s a blessing that he touched so many people’s lives.”Peter Delios’ funeral will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. in St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Lynn. Visiting hours will be held today from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Solimine, Landergan and Richardson Funeral Home in Lynn. Donations may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 54 South Common St., Lynn, MA 01902.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].