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Anthony Hazapis Obituary

Anthony Nickolas HAZAPIS Champion of social justice, passed away March 22 in Seattle surrounded by family and friends. A lawyer and labor negotiator, Tony was executive director of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists in Seattle, local representative of the Screen Actors Guild, and deputy director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Washington chapter. He negotiated the first domestic partnership provision accepted by the City of Seattle. He represented the Seattle Symphony & Opera Players' Organization, the King County Prosecutors and a host of individual artists, performers and broadcasters. He served as Assistant Dean at Gonzaga University Law School, where he also taught a course in entertainment law. He also served as Executive Director of the Dispute Resolution Center of King County, a nonprofit organization providing mediation services to the public. Tony was a faithful servant in the Greek Orthodox church in Portland, Spokane and Seattle. He was active in the Order of American Hellenic Education Progressive Association, serving as District Governor and attending many district and national conventions. He was also active in the state Democratic Party and attended the 1980 National Convention as a Ted Kennedy delegate. He proposed to his wife, Dale, while dancing at President Clinton's inaugural ball. He was an eloquent speaker, drawing a picture with words that enabled his listeners to be totally enveloped by his imagery. Tony was born Sept. 6, 1946 to Mary and the late Nick Hazapis of Wauna and Seaside, Oregon. He graduated from Clatskanie High School and earned degrees from the University of Oregon, where he belonged to TKE fraternity, and Gonzaga University Law School, where he was the President of the Student Bar Association. Tony is survived by his loving wife and soul mate, Dale; his mother, Mary; sister-in-law, Mary; nephew, Nick (Debbie and Alix); niece, Tia; nephew, John (Sereena, Taelor and Eli); aunt, Angie Anast, and cousins, Steve and John Anast. Tony is also survived by many extended family members and other friends. A Trisagion Service will be held Thursday, March 27, at 7:00 p.m. at Bonney Watson on Broadway. The Funeral will be Friday, March 28, at noon, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Seattle. Memorial gifts are welcomed for St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, The Karen Marchioro Democratic Party History Project, and the campaign fund for Mike McGrath for Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice.

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Published by The Seattle Times from Mar. 27 to Mar. 28, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Anthony Hazapis

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Paulina Vestal

July 11, 2023

Tony was a wonderful & kind person. My husband & I rented an apartment from him when we were students in Spokane. My husband went with him to the democratic convention in 1980 & he attended our wedding in 1981 in Spokane. He was a truly wonderful human being who made this world a better place.

Robin Lindley

March 21, 2020

We Fondly remember Tonys humor, tenacity, and resilience at this time of uncertainty. He continues to inspire. Love to you dear Dale. Robi and Betsy

Robin Lindley

March 21, 2019

Our thoughts our with you Dale on the anniversary of our dear friend Tony's demise. Love, Robin and Betsy

Dick Jacoby

April 5, 2008

Dale,

Anna and I are sorry for your loss. Tony was an unfailing font of serious work and joy of life. He will be missed.

Dick and Anna

Joe Giannunzio

March 31, 2008

Tony was such a fine man. Always enjoyed our conversations when he was with AFTRA.
He had the courage that a lot of people wouldn't of had. When KOMO was playing my radio show overnight without compensation to me, he went over with me to the facility and and confronted the management witch made for excellent results.
I was proud of him for standing up for me when he felt there was an injustice.
I know Tony is looking down at all of us from heaven.
He will be with us forever.
Sincerely, Joe Giannunizo

Hugh Bennett

March 30, 2008

Dale

Sorry to hear of your loss. Tony was such a great person. We will miss him.

Hugh & family

Deena Maroutsos

March 29, 2008

Dear Dale,

We share in your sorrow for the passing of Tony your soulmate and best friend.

Our lives are so much richer having known Tony and sharing time with him. We will so miss seeing and visiting with him, listening to his infinite wisdom and wit.

May his memory be eternal. We do regret that we couldn't attend his funeral as we are out of town.

With love,

Deena Maroutsos
Nicole Maroutsos
Mary Damascus

Barbara Gochnour

March 29, 2008

Dear Sweet Dale,

I was so sorry to learn yesterday that you have lost Tony. I know how precious was the love and devotion you shared. I will remember Tony as an unusually caring person. He extended such kindness, friendship and support to others--including me. Please know that I am thinking of you.

Love, Barbara

Lee Duncan

March 29, 2008

When ever I needed help with my radio career in Seattle Tony was always there to care and to help. All my prayers to his family.

Sue Pupo

March 29, 2008

Dale, Mary and the entire Hazapis Family,

I was so very sorry to hear about Tony!

What guy! He was one of those bigger than life characters.

I met Tony when he was in school at Gonzaga and later worked for him at the law school.

The day I met him, he was on rant of how much he hated the phone company. He asked me where I worked - and I told him the phone company - which was true. He thought I was making it up - he said it was either the best line he'd ever heard, or that he should be embarrassed. It became a running joke between us.

There's never been a Christmas I do not remember him - he's the first person I had ever met that had an entire closet dedicated to Christmas. One year in particular, he had a tree that lasted in his apartment till April. He'd tossed it out the window rather than carrying it down the stairs - which, as he explained was easy to do since it had already lost all it's needles.

He told the best stories and had the best sense of humor of anyone I have know before or since.

I hope you are able to take comfort in the many many friends who will preserve him in wonderful memories.

I can just hear him laughing!

John and Gloria Malgarini

March 29, 2008

To say that Tony touched our lives does not begin to tell how many other people were blessed just to know him as a friend...He was that one in a million person that you never forget - a gentle, generous, loveable guy who loved life, people and the entertainment industry.. our sadness of your loss is balanced by the joy he brought not only to our family but to all who knew him.. he is no longer suffering and is at peace ...probably looking around for Laurel and Hardy!

We thought of him as family so much that we invited him to the Malgarini Family Reunion in Reno, years ago..He fit right in with all the Italian Famiglia and was honored we felt he was family...
May you find strength Dale, in knowing you were not the only one who loved him, add the Malgarini family to his long list of friends. God bless.

Suzi Spence Riley

March 28, 2008

I've sent a note, Dale, but I'm just sitting here 'hearing' Tony laugh - that's what he and I did best whenever we saw each other or talked to one another. Meeting Tony and the other UN pilgrims during our 1963 magical purple bus tour was the starting point for many life-long memories and friendships - for all of us, Tony was very special and very loved. My heart is aching for you and for his dear mother who has lost her beloved husband and both of her adored sons. Whenever I drive through Wauna I think of them all. I am keeping you in my prayers and will share this sad news with other members of our tour group.

Steve Summit

March 28, 2008

Dale,

It's Schmoale.

I've known Tony since our first year of law school when we were in the same dorm. We watched his 16mm Laurel & Hardy films together long before there were VHS tapes. Tony introduced me to the law school library as the new dean when I did a full dress Groucho Marx's "J. Cheever Loophole" impression. Since school, we saw each other in LA, Waterbury, CT and Glastonbury, CT, where I referred both of you to Abbott's Lobster House in Mystic. (Last summer, when I was at the restaurant, I called him and asked him to guess where I was, telling him only I was at his favorite restaurant, he immediately said "Abbott's!") He told me of his "Sons of the Desert" meetings, his friendship with Stan Laurel's widow, encounters with Telly Savalas in Vegas, his attendance at the National Democratic convention.

We spoke by phone at least once a year. He was my best audience when I played the comic.

He and I spoke half a dozen times during his last weeks and I sent him my photos of wintery scenes to comfort him, knowing how much he loved the beauty of winter.

He gave me an incredible reference letter for a position with the Yale School of Law which made me believe in myself.

I will never forget him.

Love to you, Dale and his memory.

Darlene Kratky

March 28, 2008

Family of Tony
I am so very sorry of his passing. Our hearts go out to you at this time.
He will be missed. Theaccomplishments he made in his short life are amazing.
Our sincere sympathy
Darlene Tiniakos Kratky and family

Judi Himsl Choury

March 28, 2008

Dale and all who loved Tony,

Tony, was my first boss in my first real job at Gonzaga Law School. I can't begin to explain what an impact he has had on my life. May we all find comfort in knowing there is one more angel about us.

Robin and Betsy Lindley

March 28, 2008

Dear Dale and Family,

We treasure our memories of our dear friend Tony, and our wonderful times together with both of you. We will always remember Tony's generous spirit, his passion for justice, and his marvelous sense of humor.

Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

With Love and Deepest Sympathy,
Betsy and Robin Lindley
Seattle

Harolynne Bobis

March 28, 2008

I am so sorry to hear about Tony's death. He was always the nicest man, so courtly and gentlemanly.

Although I no longer live all year in Seattle and left the Library nearly 20 years ago, Tony made a lasting impression.

Gayle Sreibers

March 27, 2008

Dale,

My heart goes out to you. Tony was one special guy. I treasure the times I had the opportunity to chat with him while you and I were visiting your parents and my Mom at Alterra.
Please take care.

Penny LeGate

March 27, 2008

To Dale and everyone else who is hurting at the loss of Tony,

Tony was one of a kind. Intelligent, articulate, loving, kind, and commited to seeing justice served. Tony represented me during a painful departure from a local TV station and his compassion and guidance will never be forgotten. Out of that professional relationship a friendship blossomed, which grew to include my entire family.
Dale, we are here for you, so please call on us.
Tony, we will miss you so much!
I'm so glad you were a part of our lives.
With our sincerest condolences,
Penny LeGate & family

Terri Bonow

March 27, 2008

Dear Family,

I am sorry about your loss. Anthony Nickolas Hazapiz was impressively accomplished and talented. Many people do not do as much as he did in their lives. My condolences to you. I am sure he will be missed.

Terri Bonow- Librarian

Teresa Woon

March 27, 2008

Dale,
I am very sorry to hear about Tony's passing, and hope that wonderful memories of your life together will help to comfort you at this difficult time. Although his physical presence is absent, he will always be with you.
Please take care.

Greg and Sue and Brian

March 27, 2008

We were sorry to hear of Tony's passing. Our memories were fond, and too few... Our thoughts are with you.

JEAN SISSON

March 27, 2008

DALE,SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.HE
SOUNDED LIKE A WONDERFUL AND
CARING PERSON-SO INVOLVED.
ALL MY BEST.

Jaynie Dillon Jones

March 26, 2008

To Dale and

All of Tony's Extended Family

My heart aches for each of you in this loss. Tony was a gem, a multi-faceted, priceless gem.

What a guy!

And what a loss.

Tony lived his life in such a way that he was a blessing to all who knew him.

After relocating to Seattle to serve the members of the Seattle AFTRA unit there were numerous union members (myself included) who sought him out for assistance in tackling tough, individual challenges.

Tony was a champion for all AFTRA members. He knew his stuff. He was adept, adroit, wise, strong, clear, and fair.

I hosted The Overnight Club on KOMO for nearly ten years.

Prior to moving from Oregon to Seattle, Tony was one of my faithful, late-night listeners and would call in during the show to request his all-time favorite song "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto.

Even as recently as a few months ago, I heard the song on Coast to Coast AM with George Noory one night when it was played as bumper music. I sent Tony an e-mail (yes, in the middle of the night, on the chance that he just might be awake at that hour...and he was). I wrote, "They're playing Sukiyaki on KVI. Turn on the radio! Quick!!!"

Tony was awake and he wrote right back marveling that I remembered his passion for "Sukiyaki" even all those years later. He rang me up on the phone then and we talked most of the rest of the night into the wee hours of the morning. Dale thought we had lost our minds, but good naturedly tolerated our quirkiness.

During that conversation, Tony wanted to share his collection of different renditions of "Sukiyaki" by various artists and he played them through the phone to me.

As I reflect back on that night, it was as if life had come full circle:

Our friendship started out with me playing that song for him.

In that late night phone call when he played all of the newer versions (about nine of them) to me through the phone line, I didn't realize that would be the last time we would ever talk and laugh together.

How ironic that I first played the song for Tony and then nearing the end of his life, he played it for me. I will never forget the poignancy of that.

What a blessing he was! And what a blessing it was/is to have known him.

May the angels gently yet securely wrap their wings around you to hold you safe and keep you strong through this most difficult time.

You are and will be in our prayers,

Jaynie Dillon Jones & Charles Jones

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