Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

October 2, 2023

CHARLOTTE – We are sad to announce that Thomas Nikolaos Galatas passed away at home the morning of Monday, October 2, 2023, at age 63 after a short battle with cancer.

Thomas was born in Neohori, Greece on February 28, 1960, to Nikolaos and Kalidona Galatas, where he lived until 1986 with several brothers and sisters.  In 1986, Thomas boarded an airplane and came to the United States.  He arrived in Charlotte originally, but later moved to Boston where he had family in the restaurant business and began working with them.  A few months later, Thomas attended a wedding in Boston.  A young lady from Charlotte was also at the wedding and the two were introduced.  It didn’t take long for Thomas to realize that he met the love of his life.

By June of 1987, Thomas and Dimitra (Mima), were married and living in Charlotte.  The two began running a hoagie shop on Wilkinson Blvd and not too long after that, in 1989, they welcomed their first child, a baby girl named after Thomas’ mother, Kalidona (Kelly).  The young couple went on to have two more children.  A daughter Georgia, born in 1991 and a son named after Thomas’ father, Niko in 1992.  The couple later renamed their shop to Niko’s Subs. Their little sandwich shop remained the sole occupant in the once bustling Queensgate Shopping Center until May 2002.  In the over 20 years they were there, they met several wonderful people and created countless meaningful relationships within the community. 

By August of 2002 the couple relocated and expanded their business due to the upcoming redevelopment of the shopping center they made and built their business in.  They renamed their little shop Niko’s Grill and are now located in a business park at Airport Center Drive, where they still are today.  They continued to build a very successful business and instilled the same dedication and ethics in their children. Their customers grew accustomed to watching the children grow as they learned the ins and outs of their family’s business. Many of these customers became as part of the family as other relatives. 

The children grew up, got married and continue to work at the restaurant. Kelly married George, Georgia married Stavros, and Niko married Maria. Thomas and Mima couldn’t be prouder of their children and their now expanding family.  In 2021, a brand-new person joined the family when Kelly and George welcomed their first child, Panos.  This little boy won Thomas over as he immediately took over the role of grandfather.  Thomas was Panos’ best buddy, and the family will forever be grateful for the love they had for each other and the time they were able to spend together.  When Thomas wasn’t at work, you could find him spending time at his hobby farm or gardening.  He also enjoyed hunting with his son, Niko or going off for a short weekend fishing trip. 

Thomas was a beloved husband to his wife Dimitra for over 36 years. She came from a large family and Thomas was welcomed by twelve brothers and sisters-in-law and instantly became a favorite uncle to many new nieces and nephews.  He was also very loved by his now deceased mother and fathers-in-law and spent a lot of time with his father-in-law, John Drosinis, whom he was very fond of. 

In addition to his wife, Thomas is survived by his children, Kelly Sohoritis and her husband, George, Georgia Karagiorgis and her husband, Stavros, Niko Galatas and his wife, Maria; and grandson, Panos Sohoritis.  He is also survived by his siblings, Dimitri, Irene, Dina, and Georgia, all of Greece and his brother, Andrea of Charlotte along with several nieces and nephews. Thomas was predeceased by his parents, Nikolaos and Kalidona Galatas.

The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to their customers for so many years, for their love, support, and kindness during this difficult time. 

Funeral Services for Thomas will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Thomas to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Attn: Altar Fund, 600 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203.

May His Memory Be Eternal.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.