Thomas C. Katsikas

Visitation - Tuesday August 22nd, 2-4:30 & 7-9:30 at Raynor & D'Andrea Funeral Home 245 Montauk Hwy. West Sayville, NY.

Funeral Mass - 11:00 a.m. Wednesday August 23rd, at St. John's Greek Orthodox Church, Blue Point, NY.

Interment - Union Cemetery, Sayville, NY.

Thomas Katsikas was born on March 23, 1918 in Neapoli, a small farming village in northern Greece. At the age of 11, Tom lost his father,  and he became responsible for the financial stability of his mother and five siblings. From this very young age, he learned the value of hard work and responsibility.

While in Greece, he enjoyed many successes. At the age of 11, he started working in his uncle's restaurant.  From there, he moved to Thessaloniki, where he fine-tuned his business skills. As Tom was entering his 20s, the threat of World War II was slowing businesses. He decided to leave the restaurants and start a trucking business. As the son of a butcher, it was nearly impossible to get a license for trucking because licenses were typically passed down from generation to generation. He endured and managed to accomplish the impossible.

Needing more money to support his mother and five siblings, in addition to the trucking business, he opened a successful grocery store and obtain the license to sell parquet floors. Before he could use his new license, there was another new development in his life.

A friend who had visited New York had returned with a message for him. A mutual friend from the village was interested in joining his daughter Rita with him in marriage. Tom remembered Rita from childhood. He remembered that years earlier, he had once thought that the man who would marry Rita would be a lucky man. As fate would have it, he turned out to be that lucky man.  

Tom and Rita were married in September, 1953, and several months later, they  left Greece to establish a new life in America. Without speaking English, they worked hard day and night to establish a successful delicatessen, buy real estate property, and open an award winning laundromat. Tom was highly innovative. He designed the first super laundromat with washers and dryers surrounded by plants, statues and fountains. His innovative design was worthy of recognition, and in 1966, he was awarded "The Presidential Award for the Most Innovative Business of the Year in the United States". 

Thomas Katsikas lived a long, prosperous and happy life. He was a self-made man who embodied the American dream. His love for people earned him the distinction of "Mayor of Sayville".   Thomas was an amazing man; he had a lot to offer and he never hesitated to express himself and share his ideas with others.

Thomas Katsikas will be greatly missed, but he will not be forgotten.

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