‘One of Shepherdstown’s best’: Community mourns loss of Tommy’s Pizza owner

George Kalathas, owner of Tommy’s Pizza, passed away unexpectedly last Friday. Courtesy photo
SHEPHERDSTOWN — Current and former local residents alike were shocked to find out that George M. Kalathas, owner of Tommy’s Pizza at 101 North Mill Street, had unexpectedly passed away on Oct. 7.
It took little time for fans of the longtime businessman to bring flowers to lay upon the restaurant’s doorstep and to post words of love and remembrance about Kalathas on social media sites.
Garth Janssen, owner of Lost Dog Coffee, said earlier this week that he remembers visiting Tommy’s Pizza as a teenager in 1973.
“I had visited my mom, who had moved to Shepherdstown,” Janssen said, “and it was immediately my place of identification.”
He went on to say that over the years, he moved away but would always stop in on visits, to touch base with George.

Flowers are lined up in front of Tommy's Pizza, in remembrance of the passing of its owner, George Kalathas. According to a sign on the restaurant's front door, due to Kalathas' unexpected passing, the pizza shop will be closed until further notice. Toni Milbourne
“I moved back to Shepherdstown in 1995, and our relationship grew. My boys were born and raised on that pizza,” he said. “George stands as more than an institution. He is iconographic, and this loss is one like we haven’t seen in this community for 100 or more years.”
Janssen shared thoughts and photos via the Lost Dog Facebook page, which attracted responses from scores of individuals who were equally influenced in one way or another by Kalathas.
“My first job was with him. I worked for him for five years, and he was the best boss I ever had,” said Karen Farrell. “I became pregnant in those five years and was going to work until my due date, but George got nervous and made me take maternity leave, because he ‘didn’t want to deliver a baby in his shop.'”
“George was a big part of all of us,” Connie Rutledge said. “He was the cook when we could not [cook]. He never disappointed in his food. My family has always chosen Tommy’s over anywhere else.”
“I grew up in Shepherdstown, and every time I would come to visit, I made sure to order from Tommy’s,” Tamika Washington commented via social media. “I will miss seeing him.”
“This is a very said day for Shepherdstown,” said Paula Tremba. “We’ve been going to Tommy’s for 40 years. When our kids moved out, we weren’t ordering as often.
“Several months went by, and we ordered. I picked it up, and George asked, ‘Where have you been?'” she said, adding that “he was one of Shepherdstown’s best.”
“George and Tommy’s were icons in our tiny town,” said Town Recorder Lori Robertson. “I feel privileged to have had some very nice conversations with him and be on the receiving end of his smile.”
The social media comments continued, pouring out love and appreciation for a pizza maker who, for countless students, both fed and taught many of them a work ethic beyond compare.
“He was an organized man who made decisions and stood by them,” Janssen said, while encouraging others to continue to share stories about Kalathas. “It is good that we are sharing thoughts. It shows we are not alone as everyone is experiencing a deep pain.”
The front door of Tommy’s Pizza currently bears a sign from the Kalathas family, indicating that the pizza shop will be closed until further notice. The family and the community continue to mourn the loss of a decades-long fixture in Shepherdstown, knowing they will no longer hear the familiar “20 minutes” after placing an order, just before hearing the click of the disconnecting phone.
Visitation will be held today, from 6-9 p.m. at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road in Chambersburg, Pa. Visitation will also be held an hour before the funeral service, from 9-10 a.m. tomorrow, at St. Mary Orthodox Church, Lincoln Way East in Chambersburg, Penn.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow, at St. Mary Orthodox Church, Lincoln Way East in Chambersburg, Pa.
To post on his tribute wall or order flowers, visit https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/26105107/george-m-kalathas.
- George Kalathas, owner of Tommy’s Pizza, passed away unexpectedly last Friday. Courtesy photo
- Flowers are lined up in front of Tommy’s Pizza, in remembrance of the passing of its owner, George Kalathas. According to a sign on the restaurant’s front door, due to Kalathas’ unexpected passing, the pizza shop will be closed until further notice. Toni Milbourne