Thomas George Hatzis

On Sunday, November 16, 2025, Thomas George Hatzis (“Tom”), loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather, passed away at age 94.

Born in 1931 in Nafpaktos, Greece, the eldest of four children, He grew up during some of the most challenging times in modern Greek history—enduring the hardships of World War II and the Greek Civil War. He was determined to make a better life for himself and his family, and in the late 1950’s immigrated to New York City through Ellis Island in the hopes of experiencing the American Dream. He worked for his uncle in New York City doing various jobs and eventually became a proud US citizen and soon answered the call to serve his new country by enlisting in the US Army.  During the Korean War, he served honorably as a driver to a general.

After completing his military service, Mr. Hatzis began working in New York City, where he learned the wholesale flower business from a relative. Acting on advice, he and his brother Nicholas ventured to Wilmington, Delaware—a state they had never visited—and boldly purchased a flower business. They made Wilmington their home and soon found Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (now Cathedral), which quickly became the center of their spiritual and communal life. For Mr. Hatzis and many others, the cathedral was a sanctuary—a place of shared faith, culture, and mutual support.

Over the years, Tom built a remarkable legacy through hard work and entrepreneurial spirit, achieving success in real estate, car dealerships, restaurants, and other ventures in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.  In the automotive industry, he started his career at Holiday Lincoln Mercury and eventually became a successful Automotive Dealer and Co-founder of the Winner Auto Group with his partner, John Hynansky.

In the early 1970’s, Tom married, and his daughter, Michelle, came into his life.  He began to experience the American Dream from the late 1970’s to the present, where his real estate portfolio grew, and then he entered a new industry.  In his later life, he focused solely on developing Winner Ford of Cherry Hill and Emergency Installations, an upfitter of Police vehicles.  With the help of his daughter, Michelle, who recently joined these ventures, Winner Ford became nationally recognized as a President’s Award winner and “Top 25” in the Nation for Government Fleet for Ford Motor Company.

The American Dream continued to evolve as Tom grew his business ventures with many of his friends.  He was the partner of Winner Airport Parking at the Philadelphia Airport, and also a collaborator in a parking venture with Colonial Parking of Wilmington, DE.  Tom was very influential in the redevelopment and renovations as a part-owner of Wilmington’s University and Whist Club. He also founded and solely owned Wilmington’s beloved Hollywood Grill Restaurant.

Tom found the love of his life and married Bing Yu “Georgia” Hatzis. They were a couple very much in love and shared in faith and devotion. They had many passions, such as dancing, music, and philanthropic interests focusing on supporting the Greek Community of Wilmington, DE, Cherry Hill, NJ, Nafpaktos, Greece, and Leadership 100, as well as many US Veteran charities.

He indeed achieved his aspiration of the American Dream, and would frequently quote Frank Sinatra, saying, “I did it my way.”

He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Georgia Hatzis, his sister Ermioni, and brother Nicholas. He is survived by his wife, Bing, his sibling, Koula Bassiakos, his daughter, Michelle (John Sullivan), his stepdaughter, Christina (Jordan Rodgers), and his grandchildren (listed in birth order), Carina Audrey Sullivan, Elin Georgia Sullivan, and his step-grandchild, Olivia Rodgers.

A viewing will be held on Monday, November 24, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 808 N. Broom St., Wilmington, De 19806. A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 pm followed by the Interment at Silverbrook Cemetery, Wilmington, DE.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.