TRAVERSE CITY — Pantazes "Ponzie" Pantazopoulos, age 88, passed away Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, at Traverse Manor.The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Traverse Manor and to Hospice of Michigan for the wonderful care and compassion they provided for their father.Ponzie was born Feb. 9, 1923, to Thomas and Katherine (Schulz) Pantazopoulos. He was often asked, "Ponzie, why don't you shorten your name?" and his reply would always be, "Because my father gave me the name and told me to be proud of it. So, I never changed my name out of respect to my father."He graduated from Midland High School in 1942, where he excelled in sports, especially tennis and football.Ponzie worked for the United States Postal Service before moving the family to Traverse City, where he retired from the Traverse City State Hospital in 1985.On April 15, 1968, he married Georgiana Jane Spurgeon, who passed away May 1, 2011.He is survived by his daughters, Sue Crossman, of Suttons Bay, Mary (Alan) Priest, of Cedar, Kathy (Bruce) Bickel, of Grawn, Peggy (Mark) Reinsch, of Covington and Northport, stepdaughters, Kitty (Bob) Fox, of Petoskey, Betsy (Jim ) Hayford, of Bothell, Wash., and Patsy (Fred) Wilson, of Indian River; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his beloved companion, Goldie.In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Tom, and a son-in-law, Phil Crossman.Ponzie was a proud World War II veteran and was a member of the VFW Cherryland Post.He enjoyed watching Michigan sports teams and was hoping to live long enough to see the Detroit Lions go to a Super Bowl.Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with visitation one hour prior to services. Pastor Amber Dockery will officiate. Military honors will follow under the auspices of the VFW Cherryland Post #2780.In remembrance of Ponzie, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Michigan.Kindly share your memories with the family on their online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.Arrangements were made with Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.