'A Homewood Institution': Beloved Former Trustee, Business Owner Tom Kataras Dies At 75

HOMEWOOD, IL — Former Homewood trustee, beloved businessman and longtime Homewood resident Tom Kataras died Feb. 11. He was 75.

For decades, Kataras led a life layered with public service, business stewardship and camaraderie within the Homewood community.

The Kataras family owned Tom's Family Restaurant, a mainstay in the Homewood business community for 65 years until its closing in 2012. Kataras would eventually take over the restaurant, serving as cook and host.

"I remember Tom in the kitchen, always calling out one of his many cheerful greetings as customers walked through the door—'Welcome to Tom’s, you’re only a stranger once!'" reflected longtime customer and Homewood Trustee Jay Heiferman.

Heiferman served alongside Kataras on the Homewood Village Board. Kataras first served from 1984 through 1987, when he first became owner of Lassen's Tap. Since an elected official could not hold a liquor license, he stepped down from his role. He later sold Lassen's and sought a return to village leadership, serving again as trustee again from 2007 through 2014, according to Village records.

"I had been a (Tom's) customer since I was 8 years old, but our connection was stronger when we served together on the Village Board," Heiferman said. "His dedication to the success of the Homewood community was unwavering. He is truly missed."

Kataras also served the Village as a member of the Zone Board of Appeals and later as the Board Liaison to the Zone Board of Appeals.

"Tom was a Homewood institution," Mayor Rich Hofeld said in a statement to Patch. "Being the owner/operator and chef at Tom’s Family Restaurant which was a gathering point for so many over the years. He served as a village trustee and always had an inquiring mind.

"I enjoyed working him. He was a good man. Tom was always praiseworthy of the work that we were doing in the Village of Homewood."

'It's the People'

For some years, Kataras hustled back and forth between Tom's and Lassen's Tap, working at both. In a 2012 interview with Patch, he described his time at the bar as "the most fun I ever had.

"I used to wear a Hawaiian shirt every day to work. I used to say it’s my Caribbean dream."

His affable nature easily shone through in his endeavors, family wrote in his obituary.

"He could have a conversation with just about anyone and see the best in people," it reads. "His enthusiasm for life was contagious and left lasting impact and memories with all he came in contact."

A Homewood resident for 50 years, Kataras’ passion for the community stemmed from a firm belief he held about “what makes Homewood, Homewood.”

In an interview with Patch ahead of his retirement in 2012, Kataras reflected on the village and its substance.

"It’s not the restaurants, it’s not the developments, it’s not the stuff on Halsted—it’s the people," Kataras told Patch in 2012. "You can see that in our school district, you can see it in our park district, and you can see that in the village government also."

Kataras also spoke of his plans for his leisure time—he certainly had plans to keep busy, in the most relaxing ways.

“I have to live to be 100 because there’s a lot of stuff I want to get done,” he joked then.

Boating was at the top of the list—an item clearly checked off. Kataras died at his home in Jupiter, Florida, where he spent ample time on the water with his wife. He also fulfilled a lifelong dream of completing America's Great Loop in his trawler and was an active member in the Cruisers Association, according to his obituary.

He had also recently taken up farming, and had become a legendary grain cart driver. He also loved cooking, boating, pickleball, travel, and spending quality time with his family and friends.

Kataras is survived by his wife, Colletta; son Jason and his wife, April, and son Peter and his wife, Sara, and four grandchildren.

A celebration of life is planned for June in the Homewood area; details are still to come. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to Izaak Walton League of America, or Glory to God Church.