Michael Hadjioannou

Michael “Mihalis” Hadjioannou, known for his brilliant mind, warmth, and creative contributions, was born in Athens, Greece, on December 2, 1944, a historic day during World War II known as the Dekemvriana—marking a period of upheaval that would shape Greek history for decades to come. Legend has it that his mother, Adriani, walked home with him the next day through a military rally on the streets of Nea Smirni, while his father, Yiannis Hadjioannou, was being held as a prisoner of war in Northern Africa.

After reuniting with his father and welcoming the birth of his younger brother, Achillis, the Hadjioannou family lived briefly in São Paulo, Brazil, before settling on the island of Rhodes. An accomplished student, Mihalis immigrated to Kansas City alone at age sixteen on an American Field Service scholarship. He lived with and loved the Carter Family as his own and graduated from Paseo High School in 1962. Mihalis then on to The University of California at Berkeley, joining the first wave of students studying the new field of computer science.

In Berkeley, he met a circle of lifelong companions (many from Greece), including the Haskell Family—David, Anne, and Linda— who became his second American family. Ray and Marge Haskell welcomed him as a son after he married Linda in 1968. They shared a lifelong bond that endured for nearly sixty years. During this time, Michael discovered his passions for chess, ping pong, and the Rubik’s Cube, each of which he mastered. He considered everyone he loved to be family.

Michael obtained a PhD in computer science from UCLA, where he performed (at the time, futuristic) research on parallel processing and artificial intelligence. Accomplished in his field, he worked at Xerox (Palo Alto Research Center) and later, with Linda, ran a software development company, Ticom Systems. In 1974, they had their only daughter, Marina, now Marina Hadjioannou Waters.

From early childhood, Michael was a gifted musician. Classically trained, he played the piano, guitar, bouzouki, and harmonica. He traveled with his band, Parea, to the Greek islands and performed solo in many California venues. Michael and a troupe of friends participated in many Hellenic Theatre productions. These included Illya Darling, Theophilos, A Greek Wedding, Antigone, and The Tenth Muse. It was during this time that he earned the nickname “El Capitan” from George Pallilis, who was like a brother to him in Los Angeles, after a character he portrayed. His most recent musical project, Rises (Roots), released under his stage name “Mihalis,” is a collection of island songs from his youth, is available on Spotify.

In 2018, while battling dementia, Michael moved to Indianapolis to be closer to his daughter Marina, her husband, Chris Waters, and his grandchildren, Luna Rae and Coleman Emile, and Linda. We are forever grateful for the loving care and support given by Joys House, the caregivers at Rittenhouse Village (Florence, Nakita, Marie, Tasha, Connie, Sally, and Frank), Spyros and Ana Camateros, Renee and Ron Lamar, and others who were brave to face the isolating disease by his side. At the end of his life with very little language, Michael never lost his ability to improvise on the piano, dance a syrtos, or whistle a perfect kalamatianos (7/8) rhythm. Michael is also survived by members of the Carter Family from Kansas City, brothers David and Anne from the Haskell Family, David and Anne’s children, Paul, Tim, Kelsey, Liam, Claire, and Rohan, and several of Michael’s cousins still living in Theológos, Rhodes. Finally, with so much love, his brother’s children, Adriani and Yiannis [Hadjioannou].

Without a doubt, Michael will be remembered for his innovative mind, his humor, his artistry, his soulful philosophy, and the way he could connect so deeply with others. Just as he gained so many families in his life, he extended that grace to others.

Upon learning about his death a friend described him perfectly: “[Michael] was always such a positive, friendly, and warm gentle man. I admired how he could make me feel like I was part of your big, expressive, welcoming, Greek family. I will enjoy listening to his music and remembering his smile.” Mihalis died at Community North Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, with music playing and his daughter by his side, on Dec 7, 2025. May his memory be eternal. Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested a donation of any amount be made to the Dayspring Center (supporting people without homes) at https://dayspringindy.org/ or Exodus Refugee & Immigration (supporting immigrants) at https://www.exodusrefugee.org/.