Tommy York, a longtime and beloved Ann Arbor resident and business owner, has died. He was 60.
York was the founding partner of York Food + Drink, a restaurant and shop on Packard Street in Ann Arbor.
Born George Thomas York III in 1966 in Detroit, “Tommy” and lived in Ann Arbor for more than 35 years.
“It is with heavy, shattered hearts that we share the news that beloved partner, friend, father, and community pillar Tommy York has passed away at home,” reads a Sunday, Sept. 5, York Food + Drink Facebook post. “May his memory be a source of love and comfort for all of us who knew him.”
On Sunday, Sept 6, people began leaving flowers and memorials outside the doors of York Food + Drink.
Hundreds of comments followed the business's Facebook and Instagram
posts, many shocked and saddened by York’s passing. Comments spoke of York’s kindness and mentorship and oh him being a genuine friend. Often referred to as a "legend" in the area, many posted about his commitment to the Ann Arbor community.
A July 13, 2026, York Food + Drink Facebook post celebrated York’s 60th birthday.
York was the owner and operator of York for nearly three decades, along with partners Sarah Okin, Noah Kaplan and Ethan Kaplan, according to its website.
Referred to as a “neighborhood oasis,” York Food + Drink is a cafe, deli, wine bar, full bar and events space. A former Big Ten Party Store, York turned the location into the destination retail shop with food and drink specialties inspired by European markets, bars and cafés. York Food + Drink specializes in local foods and drinks from artisans, and featured a wine shop. According to its website, York serves breakfast all day, offers an array of classic deli sandwiches as well as Spanish bocata sandwiches such as the Jamón serrano and butter, salads and more. In recent years, York created “York Campus,” an outdoor seating and gathering space that also provided live music.
York was known to be well-trusted and involved in his community. He devoted time and resources to local organizations including “coaching youth archery to hosting events to benefit local food pantries,” its website says.
In a obit from his family sent to the Free Press, they wrote that he “lived every moment making this world a better place.”
York was known for supporting not only family and friends but local businesses, too. His family wrote of York's kindness, encouragement, generosity, patience, empathy, open mindedness and humility, positively impacted the lives of everyone.“
“His passing leaves us devastated and at a loss for the right words to express both our deep pain and immense gratitude for the chance to have known him.”
Ann Arborites, businesses and those who knew York posted messages of sadness and remembrances of York as being generous, kind and a community stalwart.
“You are the gold standard of how to give back to the community that will inspire and guide our path,” reads a Facebook post from Ann Arbor’s Sic Transit Cycles.
Zingerman's Roadhouse in Ann Arbor called York's passing a "very sad and hard loss for the whole community," in a Facebook post.
York is survived by his wife and best friend Julie Harkema, sons Lincoln and Aedan York (Marly Fortin), his parents MaryGrace Carroll and George Thomas York Jr., brother Jamie York (Colleen), sister Molly York Stelovich, father-in-law Jim Harkema (Jacquie), sister-in-laws Susan Harkema (Van Gunter) and Sallie Harkema (Mark Cesarz), nieces and nephews Ben, Josh and Sam York, Anten and Madox Stelovich, Jake and Shae Cesarz, Jordan and Camryn Gunter and Kaelon Harkema, York and Harkema aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and mother-in-law Merrell Harkema. He is also survived by “innumerable and diverse friends who he loved as family.
"The world was a brighter and warmer place with him in it, and now it is our turn, to take the example he set and the wisdom he imparted on us all to love and encourage one another to become the best version of ourselves," his family wrote in the obituary.
A celebration of life will take place from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, at York Food + Drink, 1928 Packard, Ann Arbor. Remarks begin at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Swoop’s Food Pantry, Common Cycle, Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources or the cause of your choice.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tommy York, founding partner of York Food + Drink in Ann Arbor, dies
