With great sorrow we announce the passing of our loving uncle and cousin.
Born in Malendreni, Greece to Nikolaos and Kaliopi Koston, Thomas was a police officer in Athens, Greece, for 16 years and then came to the U.S. about 1963 and settled in Redwood City, California with his uncle and aunt, Steve and Angie Chapralis. He then joined his cousins here in Sonora in 1973 and helped to open the Europa Deli and Liquors. Afterward, he was a well-known and loved local bartender in several fine establishments and jokingly coined the phrase “22.50” regardless of the true size of the bar tab when patrons were ready to go. He easily befriended everyone he met and will be sorely missed by many.
Besides his parents, two older sisters and his uncle and aunt, Thomas was predeceased by his cousins, Beatrice (Harry) Bezaitis, of Sonora, and Bill and Tom Chapralis, of the Bay Area.
He is survived by his cousins, Tim (Toni) Chapralis, of Sacramento, and Dena Dimi, of Daly City; nephews Larry (Brenda) Bezaitis, of Sonora, Godson and nephew Bill (Miriam) Dimitrocopoulos, of Novato; and nieces Angie (Kevin) Higgins, of Carmichael, and Vicki (Jeff) Gregory, of Ohio; plus numerous other cousins, nieces, nephews and their children.
Private funeral services have already been held with burial at Mountain Shadow Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home.
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