Thomas Markulis

Thomas G. Markulis, beloved husband of 65 years to the late Ann Laura Bradley, died on May 30, 2022, at the Morningside House of Friendship in Hanover, Maryland. He was 96.  Born in Baltimore in 1925, he was the cherished son of the late George and Athena Markulis, who immigrated to America from the Island of Rhodes, Greece, in 1924.   He was the dear brother of the late Beatrice Jaskiewicz, Genevieve Prevas, Amalia Tomczewski, and Basil G. Markulis. Brother-in-law to the late Mary Kohli and Dorothy Bahr. Thomas is survived by dear sisters, Mary Dardamanis and Olga Matsos, along with 27 nieces and nephews and many friends.

Mr. Markulis served in the United States Navy during World War II as a Radioman Second Class and was assigned to the USS Ericsson (DD-440), a Navy destroyer.  Later, he worked for the Department of Defense – National Security Agency and retired with honors in 1974 after 30 years of dedicated service. He and his wife Ann were life-long residents of Glen Burnie, except from 1978-1988 when the moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, where Ann accepted the executive position as Personnel Director for the General Motors assembly plant in that city.

Tom and Ann Markulis will always be remembered for their gracious generosity assisting family members and friends during times of need. They were strong in their faith and exceptional stewards of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation and provided the parish with great financial support over many years.

Viewing for family and friends will be held at Singleton Funeral and Cremation Services, P.A.  1 2nd Avenue SW (at Crain Highway) in Glen Burnie on Thursday, June 2 from 5 - 8 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Greek Orthodox Cemetery Chapel of the Holy Resurrection, 5917 Windsor Mill Road in Baltimore County on Friday, June 3 - Viewing in the Chapel at 12 noon, followed by the Funeral at 12:30 pm. Interment in the adjacent cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, https://annunciationbaltimore.org , 24 W. Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 or Morningside House of Friendship, 7548 Old Telegraph Road, Hanover, MD 21076.

A Memorial Tribute to Thomas G. Markulis

1925 – 2022

Anastasios (Thomas) G. Markulis was born at 20 N. Ellwood Avenue in East Baltimore on July 19, 1925. He was the first son of George and Athena Markulis, who had immigrated to America from the Island of Rhodes, Greece in 1924, along with their two eight-month-old daughters, Panayiota (Beatrice) and Zinovia (Genevieve). In the summer of 1926, the Markulis family purchased 151 N. Linwood Avenue near Fayette Street as their new residence. By the time Tom was five years old, two more children had been born – Amalia in 1928 and Mary in 1930. Then, by the age of 13, Tom witnessed the arrival of sister Olga in 1934 and brother Basil in 1938.  Everyday life was a challenge during the Great Depression, especially with seven children. And though it was discussed, any thoughts of returning to Greece permanently were dismissed when Europe went into turmoil following the outbreak of World War II in 1939.

In 1943, Tom turned 18 years of age and enlisted in the United States Navy. He served as a Radioman Second Class and was assigned to the USS Ericsson, a Navy destroyer.  Following his honorable discharge in 1945, records show Tom re-enlisted in the Navy and served periodically from 1947-1952 working at Ft. Meade for the Department of Defense. Ultimately, he would secure a high-level position with the National Security Agency. He was very proud to work for the U.S. Government and would remain with the NSA for 30 years, retiring with honors in 1974.

While living in East Baltimore, Tom met and fell in love with Ann Laura Bradley, the youngest daughter of Leo and Laura Bradley, who resided on E. 23rd Street. Tom and Ann were married in Annapolis at the Huber Memorial Lutheran Church on February 20, 1954. The following year, Ann was confirmed into the Orthodox faith and the newlyweds had an Orthodox marriage ceremony at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation on May 12, 1955. Tom’s younger brother, Basil, served as their best man.

Tom and Ann Markulis took up residence at 509 Wimmer Avenue in Glen Burnie during the first few years of their marriage.  By December 1959, they purchased the home at 202 4th Avenue. Both Tom and Ann came from large families. Many relatives and friends have fond memories of Tom and Ann’s lavish parties at their home with its remodeled club basement. In later years, Tom and Ann also hosted celebrations at restaurants and other venues, bringing family and friends together, especially for the Thanksgiving and Easter holidays. In addition, Tom also enjoyed attending Ann’s family reunions at Knobels in Elysburg, Pennsylvania.

In the mid-1960’s, Tom (employed by NSA) and Ann (employed by General Motors), enrolled at the University of Baltimore to further their education. In 1967, they both graduated together achieving Bachelor of Science degrees in Industrial Management. It was a wonderful achievement for them. Later, Tom was beaming with pride when Ann continued her studies and received her Master of Science degree in Industrial Personnel Management from the George Washington University in 1977.

In the 1970’s, they also took a few vacation trips to Greece with family members, visiting historic sites and the ancestral homeland of Tom’s parents – the village of Lindos on the Island of Rhodes. These trips were well-documented in numerous albums meticulously arranged with photographs and captions. By the late 1970’s, with Tom now retired from NSA, they moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, where Ann accepted the executive position as Personnel Director for the General Motors assembly plant in that city.

After she retired from General Motors in 1988, they returned to Glen Burnie and resumed their lives at 202 4th Avenue.  During their retirement years, they frequented the Sunset Restaurant, near their home in Glen Burnie, where they made numerous friends. Tom and Ann will always be remembered for their generosity when it came to providing financial assistance to family members and friends during times of need. They were strong in their faith and exceptional stewards of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, providing the parish with great financial support to help its many ministries.

Sadly, 60 years after purchasing 202 4th Avenue, it was time to bid the house farewell.  By the fall of 2019, considering Ann’s cancer diagnosis and Tom dealing with dementia, they became new residents at the Morningside House of Friendship on Old Telegraph Road in Hanover, Maryland.  After 65 years of marriage and an emotional farewell, Ann Laura Markulis passed away on December 19, 2019. She was 86. Tom, strong in his faith and with courage was able to continue living with dignity. He was assisted by a kind and gentle staff of nurses and caregivers and supported by frequent visits from family members.

A few highlights of his time at Morningside were the celebrations of his 95th and 96th birthdays and the moving Veteran’s Tribute he received from the United States Navy on May 12, 2022 – an event coordinated through the Hospice of Chesapeake. On Memorial Day, May 30, 2022, at the age of 96, Thomas G. Markulis peacefully fell asleep in the Lord and was reunited with his beloved wife Ann, his parents George and Athena, and countless other family members who had already passed away. We will miss him, his unique sense of humor, and cherish the memories of all the good times we shared in our younger years. We bid you a blessed farewell Uncle Tom knowing Aunt Ann awaits your heavenly arrival!

May his memory be eternal.