Thomas Hadjis of Plymouth, Michigan, was born on November 20, 1929 in the Village of Kraniona, Kastoria Republic of Northern Macedonia (region of Greece) to his loving parents Evangelo and Docha Hadji / Hadjis (nee:Stoychiadis). He was born into eternal life on February 27, 2019.
Thomas arrived in the United States on October 25, 1938 Ellis Island New York, New York, gaining civilian status at age 9. The Family name went from Hadji (after Pilgrimage from Macedonia to Jerusalem) to Hadjis (Americanized when arriving at Ellis Island). He also meets his father for the first time at 9 years old. After he starts school he learns to speak and write English over the following 2 years. Thomas graduated from Northwestern High School in Detroit in 1949 and attended Dorsey School of Business. He gained US Citizenship on April 23, 1954 at age 25.
Thomas began a career at Roadway Express in Freight & Transport as an Accounts Receivable Clerk in 1950. This was a career that spanned 37 years until October 1990 (Teamsters credited him 40 Years total for pre-draft and served time in US Army). He was drafted into the US Army on May 9, 1951 where he served as Corporal during the Korean War and was stationed at the US Embassy, Far East Command Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. He was in the Army Reserves from April 22, 1953 to August 15, 1956. Completed Basic Training from August 1951 to October 1951, 5th Armored Division Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, 80th Heavy Tank Battalion Company A. He received an honorable discharge on April 22, 1953.
Thomas met his future wife Barbara Jean Horner on October 19, 1956. They went on their first date on October 21, 1956 at Kensington Metropark and were married on May 18, 1957. Their marriage produced 4 sons, 2 grandchildren and spanned a lifetime of over 62 years.
Thomas is survived by his spouse Barbara Jean Hadjis, their sons Thomas “Timothy” J., Michael T., Mark T., and Joseph T. Hadjis and grandchildren Jenna E. and Rachel M. Hadjis. He is also survived by his sister Christine (the late Ilija S.) Antic (nee:Hadjis) and special daughter-in-law Elizabeth C. Hadjis (nee:Fritz). He was predeceased by his parents Evangelo and Docha Hadji/Hadjis.
His hobbies included bowling, some golf, wood carving and carpentry. His favorite music was Traditional Greek and Classical and his favorite color was yellow. He enjoyed being outside on a beautiful, warm, sun-filled day. What he truly enjoyed the most was his profound connection with and meaning of family and friends. He found the great beauty and great love in everything and everyone and made sure you knew it.
89 years of love, light, joy and service
Thomas’ final resting place will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.
