James Hansis

In loving memory of James Hansis
Known as "Jimmy the Greek" to his friends.
Jimmy was born on August 28, 1923 in Arihorion, Greece to Eugene and Hariklia Hansis. Arihorion is a small village six miles north of Kalamata, home of the famous Kalamata Olives. As a child he had fond memories of the village life. Jimmy fought with the allies against the Germans as a Gorilla fighter during WWII. In 1944 Jimmy married his first wife Maria Angelos. They were married for 5 years and had one son named William Eugene (later to be called "Wild Bill" by his friends". In 1949 at the age of 26, Jimmy stowed away on a merchant ship bound for the United States. Upon arriving in the United States he found himself in the port of Norfolk, Virginia procuring transportation to the city of New York. Jimmy found himself a job with his Uncle as a dishwasher working seven days a week. Jimmy was rescued by his future mother-in-law, Despina and given a job at the St. Moritz Hotel as a bar back which later landed him a job as a bartender at the Ambassador Hotel. While working at the hotel he married Georgia Poulimenos, an American citizen. While on the job a customer, an attorney told him that he needed to leave the United States and get his papers in order to re-enter the United States Legally. So in 1954 off to Cuba he went with his wife, Georgia to acquire the proper papers to return to the United States. Three months passed and on his arrival back in the United States Jimmy stopped in Central Florida to visit some friends who convinced him to stay in Florida. So off to Leesburg he went and got a job at Minute Maid Orange Juice. In 1957 his second son Nickolas was born. Jimmy was raised to the degree of Master Mason in 1958 and has been a continuous member of the Leesburg Lodge. A short time later he went to work for the Silver Lake Country Club as a bartender. In 1962 Jimmy and Frank Buchanan founded Florida Terrazzo in Orlando, Florida. Jimmy moved to the Orlando area in 1964. Five years later in 1967 Jimmy sold his share of Florida Terrazzo to Frank and went to work for Nick Christy at Christy's Sundown Restaurant in Winter Haven. Jimmy spent five years there as the dinning room manager, with thoughts of opening his own restaurant and in 1972 he opened the Epicurean Restaurant in East Orlando. A Mediterranean Restaurant ahead of it's time, serving exotic foods such as Alligator, Venison, Wild Boar and Goat. Along with Steaks, Seafood, Veal and a few authentic Greek dishes, and one of Florida's finest wine collections at that time or any time. The atmosphere, which was created with his love for life and refined taste, made for many long time friends while in the restaurant business. The same ones he missed in retirement. He spoke often about reopening a restaurant but his health would not let him. He thanks everybody for the memories that he is taking with him. He will be missed dearly.