Tommy Sarris' Obituary
Athanasios “Tommy” Sarris passed away on July 14, 2020. Beloved husband of the late Vasiliki “Bessie” Binikos Sarris. Loving father of Nicholas Sarris and Clio Sarris Gemelas (Themistoklis Gemelas). Cherished grandfather of Vasiliki, Argyro, and Nikolas Gemelas. Preceded in death by his parents Nikolas and Marigo Matheou Sarris. Dear brother of Dimitri Sarris, John Sarris, Despina Loulis, Zambela Lilitsas, and Panagiotis Sarris (all deceased). Uncle, cousin and friend to many.
Tommy Sarris was born in 1928 in Ikaria, grew up in poverty, started work at age 6 in a barber shop dusting hair off customers to bring his earnings home to feed his parents and 5 other siblings. Then his uncle gave him an opportunity to come to the USA. A true immigrant story, had $75 dollars in his pocket and a heart full of dreams and ambition. He worked hard as a dishwasher, meat packer and finally a machinist. He went to a dance, asked a young lady to dance and the love story began. He got a package deal…a beautiful wife, Bessie and a loving mother in law, Hariklia. They married in 1957, a true love story, had two children Nick and Clio. He worked hard for his family and supported his siblings and parents with the little money he was making. He sponsored three of his siblings and brought them to America. He sent money to educate his baby brother, the only one to attend college and become a civil engineer. The love he had for his family was endless. The smile on his face was permanent. He would sing as he would get up in the morning and go to work. Clio and Themi gave him the true loves of his life, his grandchildren, Vasiliki, Argyro and Nikolas. He spent his retirement raising his grandchildren. The devastating journey of dementia began in 2004 slowly destroying his mind, but never destroying his kind heart. He spent the last year of his life, searching every room of his house, at all hours for his beautiful wife Bessie who left him on July 16, 2019. Now they are together again, hand in hand in heaven looking down on all the good they did. The only fault he has was being unselfish. He gave all he had for his family, wife, children, grandchildren, and friends. He was an angel on Earth and he will continue as an angel in Heaven. I love you daddy….forever and always.
All Funeral Services on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 11:00AM at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 2187 W 14th St, Cleveland, OH 44113. Due to Covid, limited to 25 guests at Church and face masks required. Interment at St. Theodosius Cemetery. Cemetery is open to all. Donations may be made to Pan Icarian, Chapter Pharos, Cleveland, Ohio.
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