With profound sadness the family of Gus G. Kalaris announces his passing on Friday, June 28, 2024, surrounded by those he loved. Gus was the beloved husband of the late Stella J. (Bistolas) Kalaris, son of the late George and Pauline Kalaris, and brother of the late James G. Kalaris.
Born and raised on the Northside he made a life with four generations of his family, executing an exemplary work ethic that he emphatically passed onto them. His daughters and sons-in-law Penny and Peter Pefanis and Christina and Art Avlon together with his grandchildren Emily Pefanis (fiancé, Ryan Field), James (Alexandra) Pefanis, Annie Larimer, and Katherine (Thomas) Callahan, as well as his great-grandchildren Joseph and Nora Callahan reaped the benefits of a fun-loving father and Papou throughout his 92 years. He is also survived by his step-grandchildren, Elena (Andy) Jones, Stephanie (Jim) Foltz, and step-great-grandchildren Anna and Jack Foltz and Matthew Szymanowski who spent many years helping Papou Gus at the Iceball Stand. Gus will be remembered by thousands of Pittsburghers and their families as the concessionaire owner and the icon of “Gus & Yiayia’s Iceball Stand” in West Park on the Northside. The vibrant orange cart with the brightly colored umbrella welcomed everyone for 90 years from April through October. Recognition through the decades included: the Proclamation by the City Council of Pittsburgh designating April 25, 2012 as “Gus & Yiayia Day,” the William Kimmel Award bestowed by the Allegheny City Society, in 2014 presented with The Northside Leadership Conference Lifetime Achievement Award, and on November 17, 2021 the honor of a miniature replica of the Iceball Stand permanently displayed at the Daniel G. And Carole L. Kamin Science Center Miniature Railroad Exhibit. His love for Pittsburgh, and especially the Northside, knew no bounds. He readily shared its stories and histories with everyone he met.

Friends will be received at the Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233 on Tuesday, July 2nd from 2PM - 7 PM. A Trisagion Prayer Service will be conducted at 6:00 PM. The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, July 3rd, 10AM at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 985 Providence Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT THE CHURCH. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations directed in Gus’ memory to: Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (in support of Allegheny Commons Park), 317 East Carson Street, West Tower, Suite 230, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, online at pittsburghparks.org, or PHILOPTOCHOS - Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 985 Providence Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237, Attn: Mary Ann Stearns. Arrangements by the Rex T. Smith Funeral Home, Northside.