Thomas J. Mourikes

Thomas (Tom) J. Mourikes was born on January 16, 1930, in the village of Mouzakata on the island of Cephalonia, Greece, the second of four children of John and Agathoniki Mourikes. Like many of his generation, his early years were marked by hardship. He survived the occupation during World War II but tragically lost his beloved father. These experiences shaped his resilience, resourcefulness, and deep sense of responsibility.

As teenagers, Tom and his brother Themis (Tim) immigrated to the United States with the help of their uncle, Andrew Mourikes. Like many immigrants, Tom began working as a busboy. Through determination and tireless effort, he went on to build successful grocery businesses. He valued employees who shared his strong work ethic and earned their genuine respect in return. His journey was a true embodiment of the American Dream.

Tom returned to Cephalonia as a successful young man, where he married the love of his life, Kay (Spathis). Together, they raised four children.

A man of boundless energy, Tom lived with gusto and purpose. Although born and raised on a mountain—proudly calling himself a “Mountain Man”—he grew to love the water as well. While raising his young family, weekends were spent on the lakes near Chicago. He bought a boat, learned to water-ski, and later purchased a lakefront home in Antioch, Illinois, where he mastered boating and shared that joy with family and friends. Tom also served as a dedicated Boy Scouts of America leader and was immensely proud when his son John became an Eagle Scout.

Tom instilled in his children the values that guided his own life—hard work, loyalty, and love of family. He was strong in his Greek Orthodox faith, which grounded him throughout his life. He also took great pride in his Cephallonian heritage. As a longtime officer and member of the Cephalonian Brotherhood, he remained closely connected to his homeland and fostered in his children a deep appreciation for their roots and traditions.

The farming skills Tom learned out of necessity during childhood blossomed into a lifelong passion for gardening. Building, planting, and creating were expressions of his spirit, and the gardens he cultivated stand as a testament to his boundless energy and his belief in nurturing life.

Over the years, Tom enjoyed vacation homes in Greece, Florida, and Lake Catherine, Illinois, where he welcomed family and friends with warmth, hospitality, and laughter. In retirement, he divided his time between Greece and Saint Petersburg, Florida, forming many lasting friendships along the way.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Kay; his children, John (Maria), Nike (Harry) and Annie (Bob), son-in law Gerasimos; and his adored grandchildren and great-grandchild: Veronica (Peter), Alexi, Kat, Dimitra, Anastasia, Kalissa, Marina, and Niko.

He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Tina, and his siblings Gerasimos, Themis, and Theodora.

His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the gardens he tended and the countless lives he touched.