Athanasios "Tom" N. Contis

Athanasios Nicholas Contis, 94, passed away peacefully the afternoon of Friday, June 14, 2024.  He was the husband of the late Charlotte Baltansky.  He is survived by his children Teresa Christine, Karen Louise (William) Connor, Susan Nikki (Robert Rexa) Yauch, and Nicholas (Karalyn) Contis, and grandchildren William, Kenneth, Thomas, and Jason Connor, Drew Yauch, and Nicole Rexa.

Born in Vlahokerasia, Greece on May 10, 1930, he was the second of seven children of the late Nikolaos (1901-1981) and the late Christina (Katsafanas) (1900-1979) Kontogiannis.  He is survived by brothers Vasilios and Georgios Contis.  He was preceded in death by sisters Stavroula Zahos, Georgia Kastrantas, Panagiota Bournias, and Konstantina Kontogiannis.  His formal education ended when he was barely 11 years old when Germany invaded and started their occupation of Greece in 1941, which lasted until 1944.  He served in the Greek Air Force around 1948-1952, with his primary responsibilities being photography and lithography.  Late in his service, he moved to aerial reconnaissance photography.

He emigrated from Greece in August 1955 aboard the Queen Frederica, arriving in America the day after Labor Day, September 7, 1955.  Settling in Pittsburgh, one of his first jobs in America was as a painter, painting drive-in movie screens.  He worked in the food industry for the rest of his career, working first at the Park Schenley Restaurant.  He moved to LeMont Restaurant on Mount Washington in Pittsburgh, from just after the restaurant opened in 1960, until his retirement in 1996.  He also worked lunch shifts at the old terminal of Pittsburgh International Airport.  He was active in the Greek community, belonging to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland.  He would attend the many Greek food festivals around the Pittsburgh area and had innumerable friends in the Greek community, acting as “the unofficial Mayor of Greektown”.  He loved watching sports and would often to go games at Forbes Field after work to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates play.  He also enjoyed socializing at South Hills Village mall with his Greek friends and staying in close contact with his large extended family.  He had a larger-than-life personality and will be deeply missed by those whom he has touched throughout his life.

A memorial service is being planned and will be announced later.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 419 South Dithridge St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, (412) 682-3866. Arrangements handled privately by David J. Henney Funeral Home, Library, PA.
 

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