HALKIAS

DAMON GEORGE

Age 88, passed away on September 24, 2025. His love of his church, his family and helping those in need filled and enriched his life and the lives of others.

Damon is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Carol Papalas Halkias; his beloved children: daughter, Denise (David Chiodo) Halkias; son, George D. (Kelly Larsen) Halkias; daughter, Erika (Pete) Yucius; son, Fr. Nicholas (Pres. Anne-Charissa) Halkias; and by his cherished grandchildren: Lauren, Ryan, Nathaniel, Dallan (their mother Mary), Marianthi, Hope and Kyra Halkias; and by his brother, Anthony; and nieces and nephews: Sadie (Keith) Stang, Desiree Halkias, George A. (Kristin) Halkias, Michael (Suzi) Harris, Christine (Pete) Stavros; and many great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Sadie Halkias; his brother, Michael; and his son, Nicholas Damon.

From humble beginnings, working as a shoeshine boy, at his father's hat cleaning shop in the Hill District, to working at Gimbels Department Store to eventually studying at Mason Felix Beauty School and starting his first career as a hair stylist and salon owner, Damon had a determined work ethic. He met his wife, Carol, in the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church choir. The choir was a combination of service to the church, young adult fellowship and fun times with lots of opportunities for their relationship to bloom and grow.

His next career move began as he opened his salon after hours to young people, he met at Point Park at night to talk to them about Jesus Christ and His power to save them from a life of addiction. That led him to be a group home parent at Circle C, a Young Life offshoot, and then the Youth Coordinator of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Pittsburgh, which included 52 churches. He was blessed with the opportunity to restart the youth program, which included summer camp, retreats, seminars and conferences, dance festivals and basketball tournaments for the hierarchs that he worked under. The work that he started and more continues to this day.

He then began working as the Sales and Safety Manager at John B. Conomos Industrial Painting Contracting until he retired. In retirement, he continued to be passionate about helping his church, his family and those who called upon him for help with addictions of all kinds. He also would not miss his Tuesday and Thursday Pinochle playing at the Galleria with his good friend Marcus Diniaco.

All Viewing and Services will be at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 123 Gilkeson Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228, on Sunday, September 28. Viewing will be from 3 P.M. to 8 P.M., with the Trisagion Service at 7 P.M., on Monday, September 29, Orthros Service at 7:30 A.M. and Divine Liturgy at 8:45 A.M. Viewing from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. Funeral Service is at 11 A.M.

Funeral can be Live-streamed here: https://holycrosspgh.org/church-live-stream

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church's Icon Fund, Endowment Fund or the Damon G. Halkias Scholarship Fund of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh.