Athanasios "Tom" Gaitanis

Born January 4, 1940 in Thermo, a small town in the Aetolia-Acarnania region of western Greece, he was the second child of Kostandinos and Ourania (Drellias) Gaitanis. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ioannis Gaitanis.

Tom is survived by his wife of 56 years, Polyxeni "Polly" (Psaras) Gaitanis; sister Dimitra Gaitanis of Thermo, Greece; two children, Rania (Timothy) Sweigart of Adamstown, PA and Dean (Christy) Gaitanis of Harrisburg, PA; 6 grandchildren including quadruplets Alinda, Anthony, Thanna and Jamie Sweigart, and twins Claire and Athan Gaitanis.

From a very young age, Tom’s life took root in the family’s pastry business, learning and working alongside his father throughout his youth and later continuing the family’s tradition in the United States. While still in Greece, Tom proudly served two years as a mechanic in the Polemiki Aeroporia (the Hellenic Air Force) and then spent four years abroad in Australia. After returning to Greece and marrying his wife in 1969, Tom and Polly immigrated to the United States in 1970, settling in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In addition to his pastry career, Tom has also worked as an HVAC technician and restaurant owner/cook, but his greatest pride was being “Papou” to his grandchildren.

Funeral service begins at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 16, 2026 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Catherdral at 1000 Yverdon Drive, Camp Hill. A viewing will be held from 10:00 AM Friday until the start of the funeral service. Burial will be in East Harrisburg Cemetery. A meal will be served after internment at the Cathedral.