James Tottis passed away in February 2019 at the age of 89. Jim is the beloved husband of Margie, a loving father to Karen and George, and dearest Grandpa to his six granddaughters; Virginia Rogers, Caroline Rogers, Allison Rogers, Olivia Tottis, Katherine Rogers and Jillian Tottis.
Jim is the son of George and Amelia Tottis of Albania. He grew up on Hillsdale Street in Detroit with his brothers Mitch, Nick and Pete and sister Lolly.
Jim attended Pershing High School where he lettered in football and tennis, and he worked in his father’s Greektown restaurant alongside his mother and siblings. Jim attended The University of Michigan, earning a Pharmacy degree in 1950. He joined the Army, working in our Medical Corps during the Korean War.
After serving his country, Jim was a Pharmacist in Dundee, MI, then opened his own pharmacy and laboratory: Dearborn Clinical Laboratory. He married Margaret Lambe in 1962, and they raised their two children in Dearborn.
Jim and Margie were founding members of the YMCA Tennis Cub and enjoyed an active social life there. They were members of “The One Hundred’s Club” and also found time to play bridge and take ski vacations with family and friends.
Jim retired in 1986 and dedicated much of his free time to the study of art and architecture. He took art history classes at U of M and traveled the world with his professors, wanting to see in person the architectural and artistic wonders he had studied. Over the years, Jim and Margie have shared their love of travel with their closest friends, their children, and grandchildren. Several works of art purchased by Jim have been donated to the University of Michigan in Dearborn.
Those wishing to remember Jim are encouraged to make a donation to the “Cure Alzheimers Fund” in support of ongoing research to find a cure for those like Jim, who have suffered in their later years with memory loss.