In memory of Tom H. AmprazesAuthor of the memorial page is Cemetery Manager

Arrived in either 1904 or 1908. Brother of Efthimios (Harry). Son of Zoe (Prosangelis) and Christos Amprazis. Could be that Tom arrived in 1904 and then returned to Greece, returning to America in 1908 with his brother Harry. First settled in Manchester, NH, with Harry, to seek employment in the textile mills. They both moved to Gettysburg, PA in 1912. Tom met Cora Bess (Bessie) in Gettysburg, married her on June 20, 1918 in Atlantic City, NJ and moved to Westminster, MD. Once in Westminster, Tom started several establishments and Bessie worked in real estate, buying and selling dozens of properties all around town.They had no children; however, following a trip home to Trikala, Greece in 1920, they sponsored, Tom's nephew 12 yr. old Basilios (Bill) Lefteris. He was the son of Tom's sister, Pagona Lefteris. In 1923, Tom brought over from Greece his sister Eleni Holevas' son, Sotiri (Steve). In 1921, he brought over his mother, Zoe (age 65) and her grandson Vasilios (Bill). Aristidis (Harry) escorted them from Greece and they all arrived in NYC January 5, 1921. Tragically Zoe was killed six months later in an automobile accident while traveling to Gettysburg, PA for a Memorial Day outing. Tom and Bessie moved out of the apartment they had occupied since 1918 into one of the largest homes in town - the Charles Wantz house (built in 1875) at 101 E. Main St. in order to provide sufficient space for all the many friends and relatives coming from Greece. Tom was part owner, along with Pete and Zack Samios, of the American Restaurant (9 E. Main St.) from 1917 to 1935 (when he sold it to establish the City Restaurant). It first opened as a pool hall and was later converted into a restaurant. Many people lived in the upstairs apartments owned by Tom and Bessie such as Harry Amprazis (later owner of the Coney Island Lunch Room at 38 1/2 West Main Street and Harry's Lunch); nephews Bill and Arthur Lefteris (later owners of Lefteris Food Market); nephew Steve Holevas (later owner of Coney Island Lunch Room); Apostoli Gorgogetas; and friends Arthur Letras and John Chaknis (later partners in the restaurant). After selling the American Restaurant in 1935, Tom opened the City Restaurant at 12 West Main Street which was managed by his nephew, Bill Lefteris. The restaurant was quite successful and in 1938 was expanded to include and upstairs banquet hall. Tom returned as manager during WWII when the young men were called in service. Tom eventually sold the City Restaurant. After Bessie's death, Tom married Caliopi (Popi) Sakellaridis who brought her young daughter, Alice (born 1936) to the marriage and Tom was finally a father. Popi and Alice immigrated to America in 1947. When Tom died on July 16, 1959, he was buried in our cemetery with his mother and first-wife Bessie. Second wife, Popi, moved to Pennsylvania to be near Alice.