Thomas Kazas' parents immigrated to the United States from Greece in the early 1900s seeking a better life. His father worked as a mailman and a second job to support their family of three sons, while his mother raised the children and had little English skills. Kazas struggled in school at first since Greek was his first language, but was determined to learn English. He graduated high school with honors and continued working hard, eventually founding the successful Hometown Coffee Company business. Kazas remains dedicated to philanthropic causes through organizations like The Java Sonata Endowment for the Arts and Pittsburgh Children's Hospital Free Care Fund.

1. His mother and her family endured the
war, and most of his brothers and sisters
left Greece in search of a better life.
His father was Peter Kazas born to Stamatis
and Frosine Kazas from the Greek Island of
Rhodes. Both are deceased, but he was
fortunate to have spent eighteen years with
his grandmother living a few blocks from
where Thomas grew up in Aliquippa,
Pennsylvania. The family came to America
in the early 1900’s for a better life.
Thomas Kazas’ mother was born in
Kalamata, Greece to Elias and Garifalia
Malapets. His grandparents are both
deceased, but he was very fortunate to have
spent six summers with his grandmother and
one summer with his grandfather. His
grandmother, even today, remains one of the
most influential people shaping his character.
His mother, Maria, came to the U.S. via
Canada. She was introduced to his father
through mutual family friends. She married
his father in 1960 when they moved to
Aliquippa, Pennsylvania where she devoted
her time and energy to raising three sons and
serving the Aliquippa Greek Orthodox
Church. To this day, she serves her God and
church and family.
Thomas Peter Kazas
1998 Recipient
www.neco.org

2. Thomas’ parents were married in 1960 and
raised three sons—Thomas, Elias, and
George.
Thomas Kazas’ father worked during the day
as a mailman and worked a second job at
night in hopes of providing a better life for all
of them. His mother was home raising their
three sons and had little education so was
barely able to speak any English—even to
this day.
One of the most difficult times during his
childhood was his very first day in school.
Because his first language was Greek, he was
unable to speak any English. Many days
ended with him running home from school in
tears. His teachers believed that he would
need Special Education to overcome his
"communication problem." This was just not
in the household budget, so he worked harder
and was determined to learn.
During this time, Thomas Peter Kazas and his
brothers all grew up close to the Greek
community and more importantly, to the
church. They always remembered and learned
about who they were, where their family was
from, their heritage, traditions, and beliefs.
He learned a lesson from his father and always
worked hard and maintained employment
throughout his youth and adult life. He
graduated from high school in 1980 with
honors and went on to college and entered
America’s work force. Kazas continued to
work hard, learn new ideas, accept the
challenges from his more mature and wiser
business associates and give back to the
community.

3. In just three years, the Hometown Coffee
Company has grown to a multimillion dollar
coffee and food enterprise conducting
business in seven states with joint ventures in
Mexico and opportunities in several other
parts of the U.S.
As the firm continues to develop, and as
someone who has always tried to serve and
help others, he is involved in various civic
affairs. Dedicated to the ongoing challenge of
educating the youth of America, it was with
this spirit that the non-profit organization, The
Java Sonata Endowment for the Arts, was
established. During the past three years, they
have raised over $60,000, helping hundreds of
under privileged children with the costs of
lessons, education, instruments, and exposure
to the arts. Thomas Peter Kazas established
this as a local endeavor and has recently
attracted national interest.
Another organization that is, and has been, of
great importance to Tom for many years is the
Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital Free Care
Fund. Throughout the year, their coffee carts
are dispatched to various events in the city,
supplying free coffee to the people in
attendance in exchange for donations to the
children. In the month of December, prior to
the local hospital telethon, they supply coffee
and labor for a two-week campaign to raise
awareness and money for the children. To
date, they have contributed more than $42,000
in funds and gifts-in-kind.