On Thursday, December 24, 2020, Christmas Eve, Athanasios “Tom” Petropoulos, founder of Pittsburgh’s Iconic Tom’s Diner, loving husband and father of two children, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away at the age of 81. Tom was born on November 8, 1939, in his hometown village of Vasta in Greece. He married his childhood best friend, Effi, in 1957. Tom served in the Hellenic Army of Greece and was a member of the Presidential Guard. He immigrated to the United States in 1969 to provide a better life for his family. After working in the restaurant business at Pittsburgh’s LeMont, he decided it was time to open a restaurant of his own. He created a legacy with Tom’s Diner. He worked very hard alongside his wife, Effi; Son, John; and daughter, Penny. Tom’s passion was his family and striving to make his restaurant clients happy – he was always proud to greet them. Pittsburgh remembers him as the man at the counter drinking his coffee with a cigarette in his hand. He enjoyed hosting Greek Nights at the club next door, “The Vasta”, which he named after his hometown in Greece. Tom was preceded in death by his father, John; his mother, Panagiota; his brothers, Steve and Gus; his sister, Nicoletta. He is survived by his wife, Effi; his son, John (Cheri); his daughter, Penny (Anthony); six grandchildren, Nikolas (Becca), Demetria (Evan), John, Tommaso, Athena, Maria; two great-grandchildren, Constantine and Greyson. He is also survived by his brothers, Vasilios and George; and several nieces and nephews, along with Georgia and John. A funeral service along viewing will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 601 W. McMurray Road, Canonsburg, PA 15317.