Thomas Frank Polychronis
September 7, 1930 - November 8, 2014
Like all legends, Tom ‘Pooper' Polychronis peacefully moved on to greener pastures in the early morning of November 8, 2014 after living well with Parkinson's disease for many years. There, he is reunited with all the greats including beloved son Kyle, brother-in-law Gaylen, nephews Ted & Sammy, uncle Harry, brothers Tony Jr. and Johnny, his parents, and numerous family & friends, both human and canine. Born second of five children on September 7, 1930 to Tony and Sophia (Kyriopoulos), dad spent his early years in Park City. He attended Salt Lake's East High School and after serving stateside in the Air Force during the Korean conflict, he graduated from the University of Utah (sigma chi for life) spending many a semester ‘studying' on the ski slopes of Brighton and fishing in the Uintas. On May 13, 1956 he married the love of his life (who survives him), Charlene Kouris, whom he affectionately called "Big Red." He spent many years in the automotive and oil business as a man of honesty and principle (in which a handshake or a person's word were to be trusted) retiring from Jardine Petroleum in 2001. Charlene and favorite aide Jayme Mast devotedly and lovingly cared for Tom throughout the past few very difficult years as his health declined, under the concerned care of VAMC/UUHC providers Dr. Timothy Huhtala, PJ, and Meghan Zorn, PA-C. However, his sense of humor never waned, despite many personal hardships. A ‘Utah Man Am I' until the day he died, pops introduced us to UofU sports from a very early age and we proudly carry on his legacy: daughter Karen Curtin (Bill Wegesser) of Salt Lake City and son Thomas Kelly (Cindi Chandler) of Portand, Oregon. Papou adored and was adored by grandkids Athan & Kyliana Polychronis, Rachel & Mary (Polychronis) Lewis, Carrie & Thomas Curtin (with whom he shared a special relationship). Also survived by sisters Teresa (New York City) and Elaine Nicolaysen (Salt Lake City), he was an honorary father to nephews Dave and Michael Robbins and surrogate ‘papou' to Ned, Will, and Daniel Voytovich. A celebration of Tom's life will take place Wednesday, November 12th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East. Complimentary valet parking will be provided on the north side of the building. A private graveside service will be held on Thursday, November 13th at Holladay Memorial Park. Friend to many and enemy of none, we look forward to seeing you again dad, at the big tailgating party in the sky. Donations in his memory to the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's (www.davisphinneyfoundation.org), the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (www.michaeljfox.org) or the University of Utah School of Medicine Department of Neurology would be a fitting tribute to a great guy.