Thomas, father of Zaïmis—a classmate and friend of protagonists Porphy and Mina—lived with his family in Simitra, Greece. He died during the catastrophic earthquake that destroyed Simitra, an event that also orphaned Porphy and Mina. Thomas's death left his wife Dori widowed and Zaïmis fatherless. At the time of the earthquake, Dori was pregnant with their second child; their daughter Elpida was born shortly after the disaster. Dori, Zaïmis, and newborn Elpida subsequently relocated to Timiza to live with Zaïmis's aunt. Thomas is consistently remembered among Simitra's villagers who did not survive the tragedy.