Anastasios "Tom" C. Economou
August 15, 1932 - January 2, 2013
Obituary
Anastasios “Tom” C. Economou was born August 15th, 1932 on the island of Aegina, Greece. He was the youngest of four children born to Christos and Evaggelia Economou.
After World War II, Tom came to the United States in 1947 with his father in search of a better life. The rest of his family followed a year later.
April 19th, 1958 he married his beloved wife of 54 years, Mary H. Paulos at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Seattle, WA.
After many years of owning the Frye Parking Garage, Tom was approached to become a partner in the Ballard Smoke Shop Restaurant and Lounge. After proclaiming, “What do I know about the restaurant and bar business?” Tom went on to run one of the oldest and longest running establishments in Ballard, WA. Later that year his best friend and brother, Pete, joined him as a partner in the business. Together, they ran the Smoke Shop side by side until his dear brother passed away.
Tom will always be remembered for his generosity and kind heart. It has been said that he was tough as nails yet at the same time had a heart of gold, unmatched by any other.
He was incredibly proud of his Greek heritage which he instilled in his children and grandchildren. This was never more evident than when he was Greek dancing with his brother and lifelong friends. He was an active member of AHEPA serving as president in 1970.
Tom was an avid sports enthusiast. Soccer was first and foremost to him. As a young adult he played on three soccer teams at the same time and went on to coach the Greek American team in Seattle. He loved taking his children to sporting events including the Sonics, the Huskies, the Totems and the Seattle Sounders. He was particularly thrilled when his beloved Greek National Team won the Euro Cup in 2004. He was a longtime member of the Shriners and enjoyed countless mornings on the Nile golf course with his good friends.
He loved his family very deeply and looked forward to Sundays where without fail, they would gather at his home for family dinner. He especially delighted in spending time with his grandchildren. His family loved to hear his stories of growing up in Greece, his time in the military, his memories of living through World War II and his adventures as a young Greek immigrant in America.
Tom passed away on Wednesday, January 2, 2013. He was preceded in death by his sisters Katerina and Diana and brother Pete. He is survived by his wife Mary, and his five children, Chris (Marla), Ann, Maria (Mike), Tom (Michelle), Angela (Matthew) and grandchildren Whitney, Anastasia, Alex, Peter, Christina, Nicholas, Alyson, Evan, Amalia, and many beloved nieces, nephews and Godchildren.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Pt. Drive, Tampa, FL. 33607, www. Shrinershospital.org. or to the
NW AHEPA Family Educational Foundation, c/o St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 1523 S. Yakima Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405
Visitation will be at Bonney Watson on Capital Hill, 1732 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122 on January 7th at 6pm to 7pm.
Service will be at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2100 Boyer Ave E, Seattle, WA on Janurary 8th at 11am.
Trisagion will be at Bonney Watson Capital Hill, on January 7th at 7pm to 9pm.
Dearest koubara Mary, may God rest the soul of our beloved koubaro Tom in peace and gift you with all the courage and strength you’ll need to go on. Our love and thoughts are with you and your family during these difficult times.
Louie and Stella Apostolou
Jon and I send our condolences to Mary and family. May your memories of your husband, father and friend sustain you during this difficult. May you celebrate his life with joy!
Our deepest condolences to you and all of the family – We are going to miss him dearly. Celebrate his life and memory.
Rest in Peace Tom You stood one hell of a watch