Thomas M. Karavakis, age 84, of Waupaca and Naples, FL passed away on Monday, October 13, 2014 at his residence.
Tom was born in Waupaca on September 8, 1930 when the noon whistle blew. He was the son of the late Anastasis and Panayota (Maravellas) Karavakis who migrated to Waupaca in 1924 from Filiapra, Greece. He graduated from Waupaca High School in 1948 and joined the US Army in the fall. After the service, he worked at the Grand Army Home in King until going to college at UW-Stevens Point. After three years in college, he decided to strike out as an entrepreneur. After various jobs, he became the general manager at WDUX radio station. He later started Add, Inc. of Waupaca which grew to hundreds of printing plants and newspapers across the United States. Add, Inc. was then purchased by the Journal Company and Tom remained as President of Add Inc. until retirement in 1998. Tom’s first marriage was to Janet (Miller) Cervinka and he later married Ally Denk on September 26, 1987 in Las Vegas. He was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Waupaca.
Tom is survived by: his wife, Ally Karavakis, Waupaca, WI; his children: Marcie Karavakis (Bill Allen), Naples, FL and Mark (Lisa) Karavakis, Columbus, OH; his granddaughter, Nicole Karavakis; his brother, John Karavakis, Cary, IL and his sister, Polly (Sam) Christy, Racine, WI. Also surviving are two very special friends, Ilona Box, Naples, FL and Gina Kennedy, Waupaca and his brothers and sisters in-law: Romaine Denk, Tom Annen, Corrine (Eldon) Liebzeit, Milly (Dennis) Hamke, Janice (Joe) Stinchfield, Gerry (Mary) Denk and Sandy Denk; many awesome nieces and nephews–you know who you are. Thank you to Sheri and Patti for the many trips to help Tom with his computer and phone. And all of the special visits and cards to Uncle Tom over the years–how he loved them…Thank you.
A Memorial Service will be on Saturday, October 18 at 2 p.m. at Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca with Reverend Nigel Bousfield, officiating. Interment of cremains will be in the Lakeside Memorial Park, Waupaca. Visitation will be on Friday evening from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home continuing on Saturday from 12 noon until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Tom’s name, payable to the Thomas Karavakis Memorial Fund. Lastly, a special thank you for the wonderful care given to Tom by his hospice nurse, Sina and Dr. Earl Anderson and all our wonderful friends and support system—what a journey. Thank you.