Antonios D. Hazapis

October 17, 1924 – June 3, 2013

Antonios Hazapis passed away on June 3, 2013 in Sarasota, Florida. He lived 88 amazing years filled with joy and love. Antonios was the devoted husband of Maria Hazapis. The couple recently celebrated their wedding anniversary commemorating 60 years of true love.

Born October 17, 1924 in Vrahnou village of Andros, Greece to Dimitrios and Katina Hazapis. He served his country in the Merchant Marines for over 20 years, before coming to reside in the U.S.A., where he worked in many restaurants, including the Columbia and the Sarasota Yacht Club; even running his own restaurant called “Lester’s Diner” in Sarasota. After retiring from his work, family and friends enjoyed coming to his dining room table at home…frequently asking him if the “restaurant” was open for a meal. Although everyone knew that he was always ready to whip up something delicious for anyone who stopped by to visit. Antonios was famous among his family for being able to assemble a 5 course meal with less than 30 minutes notice…amazing everyone who sat at his table!

Antonios had many passions; spending quality time with his wife and family, cooking, gardening, and “fixing” many things around the house with inventions that only he could design. To say that he had a “green thumb” would be an understatement. Every plant he touched flourished and thrived with his love. He approached everything in his life with energy, good humor, a hard work ethic, integrity, and a heart of gold.

Antonios is survived by his wife, Maria (Tatakis) Hazapis; sister, Hariklia Garyfalos; daughter and son-in-law; Irene and Doug Hill; daughter and son-in-law; Katherine and Raymond Baker, granddaughter and grandson-in-law; Maria and Gary Whalen; granddaughter, Melinda Harrison; grandsons; Raymond Baker Jr., Timothy Baker, Philip Keaser; great-grandchildren, Madeline Harrison, Alexander, Jennifer and Kristopher Whalen, Haley, Preston, Cash and Price Baker; great-great-grandchild, Trinity Keyso; and many other family members.

Donations in memory of Antonios Hazapis can be made to the American Lung Association

A memorial service will be held 11am Saturday, June 8, 2013 at St. Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church, 7671 N. Lockwood Ridge Road - Sarasota, FL.

Papou, sas agapame para polli…we will always love you “to the moon….and back again.”

Save a place for us, we look forward to seeing you again one day.

God saw he was getting tired,

And a cure was not to be.

So He put his arms around him,

And whispered, “Come with me.”

With tearful eyes we watched him suffer,

And saw him fade away;

Although we loved him dearly,

We could not make him stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hard working hands to rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He takes only the best.

-Author Unknown

Papou’s Gone to Heaven

How well I do remember

Standing at Papou’s knee

And all the fun and happy times

He always spent with me

How well I do remember

The love we always shared

And all the things he said and did

That showed he really cared

Now my heart will carry memories

Of the love he gave to me

Until we meet again in Heaven

Where the best is yet to be

By: Judith Morse