Uncasville, CT : A 60 Years old Mike Vassiliou was killed in a wrong-way crash at Southington On Monday, July 25th, 2016

A Bristol man, the owner of Family Pizza in Southington, was killed in a wrong-way crash in Uncasville early Monday.

State police said Mike Vassiliou, 60, was driving the wrong way on Mohegan Sun Boulevard, the casino’s main road. He was going north in the southbound lane when his vehicle collided with a bus belonging to the casino.

The bus driver was unable to avoid Vassiliou’s vehicle, police said. Vassiliou was declared dead at the scene.

State police spokeswoman Kelly Grant said the crash remains under investigation. The bus driver had possible injuries, she said, and the sole passenger of the bus was not injured.
Family Pizza announced Vassiliou’s death on its website Monday.

“With an extra heavy heart we announce the passing of our owner Mike,” a statement on the website read. “A dedicated man to the town of Southington and the surrounding communities. Mike always worked hard to give you

his best. What else can we ask from someone in their lifetime.”

Town Councilor Ed Pocock III said he heard from his father that Vassiliou had gotten into an accident. He said Family Pizza, at 293 Berlin St., was a welcoming place that brought neighbors together on the east side of

Southington.

“My wife and I were in there all the time,” he said. “He’d make stuff and send it home with you. You’d go home with stuff in your bag that you hadn’t ordered.” Pocock said he was heartbroken to hear about Vassiliou’s death.

Family Pizza head waitress Diane Martin said Monday evening that Vassiliou was her longtime boss. She considered him a friend and “a brother to me.”

Vassiliou took over the restaurant, previously Romano’s Pizza, in 1990. He had also opened Mike’s Pizza in Bristol in 1985.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.

Source :
Owner of Family Pizza in Southington killed in Monday morning crash