As Introduced
135th General Assembly
Regular Session S. R. No. 495
2023-2024
Senators Huffman, M., Brenner
Cosponsors: Senators Craig, Reynolds, Romanchuk, Kunze, DeMora
A RESOLUTION
In memory of Athanasios I. “Tommy” Pappas.
WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the 135th General Assembly 1
of Ohio were saddened to learn of the passing of Athanasios I. “Tommy” 2
Pappas and extend our most heartfelt condolences to his family and 3
many friends on this sorrowful occasion; and 4
WHEREAS, Tommy Pappas was a fine Ohioan and a downtown Columbus 5
icon, and the memory of this charismatic man will be eternal. Born in 6
Greece, he immigrated to America and became known and respected as the 7
owner of Tommy’s Diner, a family-operated restaurant on West Broad 8
Street, which he founded with his wife in 1989 and ran with his sons 9
over the years. Tommy Pappas welcomed scores of loyal patrons to the 10
popular gathering spot, and the walls of the eatery were transformed 11
to not only pay homage to the many elected officials and celebrated 12
figures he met but also to feature historical moments from the past 13
three-and-a-half decades. The dream he had for his business to host 14
family and friends—for that is how Tommy Pappas greeted all those he 15
encountered—will echo throughout Tommy’s Diner, as will his abounding 16
kindness, his spirited stories and conversations, and his larger-than- 17
life presence; and 18
WHEREAS, Tommy Pappas was deeply loved as the patriarch of his 19
family, and he flourished in the close-knit circle of all those who 20
knew him best. He was sincere and generous and found immense 21
fulfilment in being a devoted husband to his wife of nearly fifty 22
years, Kathy, a supportive father to his sons, Louie and Michael, an 23
adoring grandfather to his grandchildren, Kaliopi, Dina, Athan, Tommy, 24
Costa, George, and Elias, and a cherished son, brother, uncle, cousin, 25
and friend; and 26
S. R. No. 495 Page 2
As Introduced
WHEREAS, Tommy Pappas extended the warmth of his personality to 27
everyone, and he was beloved for his integrity and for the ease with 28
which he created strong bonds with people. He strove to make the world 29
a better place, and he was a champion for the Franklinton neighborhood 30
as well as The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, where he served 31
on the parish council and the Greek Festival committee. Tommy Pappas 32
unified people, and indeed, his legacy will stand as a reminder of how 33
one person’s philanthropy, faith, dedication, and gratitude for life’s 34
blessings can serve as a rich example of humanity. His absence will be 35
keenly felt; therefore be it 36
RESOLVED, That we, the members of the Senate of the 135th General 37
Assembly of Ohio, in adopting this Resolution, salute the life of 38
Athanasios I. “Tommy” Pappas and pay tribute to a truly honorable man 39
and an exemplary citizen of Ohio; and be it further 40
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a duly 41
authenticated copy of this Resolution to the family of Athanasios I. 42
“Tommy” Pappas. 43