January 30, 1933 ~ December 23, 2021 (age 88)
Age 88, a longtime resident of Verona died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Thursday, December 23, 2021. Spiro was born to John and Efthasia (Krampovitis) Pappas and was raised in Bridgeport, CT and later attended the Pallicary Vedova Prep School. In 1955, Spiro graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with degrees in Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering and moved to Los Angeles to enter the management training program at Lockheed. Spiro was eager to travel the world and left his position with Lockheed to enlist in the Marine Corps, serving on a ship in the Mediterranean Sea. After his service to our nation, he moved back east to work with helicopter pioneer Igor Sikorsky. Over the course of his career, Spiro was awarded several U.S. patents, representing a wide range of engineering innovations. While employed at Contraves, he was the Chief Engineer of numerous projects including the Subaru Telescope, still in operation at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii. Earlier, while living in Philadelphia, Spiro met Georgia (Viores) who would become his wife “the story of his life” for 54 years. Spiro was always quick to note that marrying her was the best decision he ever made. He is survived by his devoted wife, Georgia, and his caring daughters, Cynthia Hollister (Carl) of Mason, Ohio; Pamela Pappas of Tampa, Florida; “Papou” also leaves his loving granddaughter, Alexandra Hollister. He is also survived by his brother, James (Sylvia) of Parsippany, New Jersey, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to acknowledge the compassionate care that Spiro received from Bridges Hospice over the last months. Family and friends will be received following CDC COVID-19 guidelines on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, from 4-7p.m., at English Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 378 Maryland Ave., Oakmont, PA 15139. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at 11a.m., in Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church, 12 Washington Ave, Oakmont, PA 15139. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH.
