April 25, 1924 – October 30, 2012
Thomas Athanasius Leonidas, a loving husband, father and grandfather passed away on October 30th, 2012. Tom was born in Edmonton, Alberta to Angelo Leonidas and Isodia Kabadria; the son of immigrant parents from Asia Minor and was the youngest of 5 children. He served in the Canadian Navy for a period, and then received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at University of British Columbia. He met his wife Anita while attending college. They married in 1952 and then came to Seattle where they became US citizens and made a home; giving birth to two children, Diane and Tom.
Tom began a 40 year plus career at Sparling, an electrical and technology firm in Seattle, Washington in 1953. During his career he did the electrical and lighting design for many buildings that still stand today – with many buildings on the University of Washington campus as well as the first three high-rise buildings in Bellevue. If he had a love in his profession, it was lighting. He pioneered the use of indirect lighting in buildings which reduced the glare, increased the quality of the space and saved energy. He was a father-like mentor to any young engineer that worked with him and cared about everyone becoming a success.
Outside of work, his love was for St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Seattle, where he worked tirelessly. He served as president of the Parish Council but also served on the building committee that was responsible for the church as it stands today. His contribution was not only leadership, but also with his hands; helping build walls, doing electrical work, maintenance work; or any work that the church required. When he went to church to worship, he would always look around at the building with a proud smile of what he had helped to provide for generations to come. For him, next to his family, his contribution to the church was the highest and proudest moments of his life.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Anita, Diane (daughter), Tom (son) and grandchildren Christina and Sophia. Remembrances to support his legacy are encouraged to be given to:
Capital Improvements and Maintenance Fund
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
2100 Boyer Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98119
Services will be as follows:
7:00 PM, Monday November 5, 2012 – Trisagion Service at Sunset Hills Funeral Home
11:00 AM, Tuesday, November 6, 2012 – Funeral Service
2:00 PM, Tuesday, November 6, 2012 – Graveside Interment at Evergreen Washelli, Northgate
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