‘He was a good-willed man’: Winnipeg restaurant owner dead after fight outside business, police say

A 51-year-old Winnipeg man is dead after an incident in front of a west Winnipeg bar and eatery Wednesday evening.

Police said they were called to the scene at the Cork & Flame around 5:30 p.m., where the victim, Kyriakos Vogiatzakis, was found with serious injuries. He was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

Global News has learned Vogiatzakis was the owner of the Portage Avenue business where the incident took place, and was the former owner of the MS River Rouge cruise boat. The restaurant remains closed Thursday due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’, according to a sign on its door.

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Suzanne Mariani was a friend of Vogiatzakis and performed music at the Cork & Flame every Saturday night. She says he was a dedicated, energetic, and hard-working man, and the news of his passing was devastating.

“He was a good-willed man. Kyriakos always cared about everyone and everyone that was in his presence. I admired that about him,” Mariani told Global News.

Mariani says Vogiatzakis created a community within his business.

“When I heard about it, I was devastated immediately because it’s not expected. Kyriakos is this vibrant man, full of energy. He’s indestructible; his staff would be the first to tell you that. It’s not expected,” she said, adding that his passing has been very difficult on his close-knit family.

She wants Kyriakos to be remembered for the person he was and how he treated those around him.

“The thing I would want him to be remembered for and honoured for and praised for, is his recognition for the need of people,” Mariani said.

“He was more than a restaurant owner. He genuinely loved people and I think that was part of his success. And I think that’s the part of Kyriakos I’m going to miss the most.”

Const. Jason Michalyshen told Global News a suspect was arrested shortly after the incident on Wednesday and remains in police custody. The incident currently isn’t being labelled as a homicide investigation.

“The important part of this investigation is the results of an autopsy,” Const. Michalyshen said. “In order for us to move forward with any charges, we do need to know exactly what the cause of death is in this matter.”

Police are asking anyone with information or video surveillance of the incident to call the major crimes unit at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS.

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