Athanasios "Tom" Damalas

Athanasios “ Tom “ Damalas was born to Pantelis and Ioanna Damalas in Coronthis Greece on February 28, 1944. Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend passed away on October 31, 2022 with his family by his side.

In 1978 after marrying his wife of 44 years, Despina Loukas, they moved to Baltimore MD to start a life. He worked at The Corner Diner, a restaurant and staple in greektown. Owned by Denise’s parents Tom and Kiki Loukas alongside her siblings Kathy, Gus and Jimmy. Soon after Thanasi went on to work for the Painters Union Local 51 which he would later retire in 2009.

They welcomed a daughter Kiki and Son Panteli. Through the years Thanasi could be found playing cards, hanging with his friends in Zorbas, riding his bike , swimming, cooking, baking, gardening and fishing. And almost always alongside his children and grandchildren. He lived a retired life of leisure at the family’s second home in Lewes Beach DE. He was loved by all his neighbors and their pets. Any given day you could find a trail of people and their dogs waiting to greet him for a lamb chop. He loved this town, everyone in it, and it showed.

Being a Papou came naturally to Thanasi. His grandkids loved his belly farts and neck kisses. He would find the best spots on the beach each morning, with the easiest tide for the kids to play all day at ease. His house always smelled of fresh French fries and the Coca-Colas were always around if he needed to bribe them.

Thanasi was the third of 5 children. His siblings, Katerina , Kaliopi , Anastasia and Alexandros. He is survived by his wife Despina, their children Kiki & Panteli. His son in law Bill Giannopoulos and his grandchildren Spiro, Andi and his namesake Athanasia “ Tommi “ Giannopoulos.

Thanasi lost his very short battle with COVID. His family wishes to extend a special thank you to the team at Cooper Medical and Dr. Kennedy-Little who attended to him at Beebe Medical for all their care and kindness throughout.

In his memory, and in lieu of flowers donations can be made to any of the Baltimore area Philoptohos.

With Love, The departed’ Family.

Family will receive visitors at the Connelly Funeral Home of Dundalk on Sunday from 4-7 PM with a Trisagion Service at 7PM. Additional viewing will be held Monday morning at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church from 10:30-11 AM with funeral services celebrating Tom's life beginning at 11 AM. Interment will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery.