Thomas J. Fournaris, 88

December 08, 2024

Thomas J. Fournaris, 88, the longtime owner and operator of Lancaster’s former landmark StockYard Inn restaurant, died peacefully at home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania surrounded by his family on December 8, 2024.

Affectionately known as Tommy to his patrons and employees, Mr. Fournaris was a longtime resident of Lancaster County. Tom was born on November 14, 1936 in Flushing, New York to the late James S. and Stergia Fournaris. After his family moved from Astoria, New York to Lancaster via a short stop in Reading, Tom attended the City of Lancaster’s public schools and then studied business at Franklin and Marshall College. In his youth, Tom had a passion for physical fitness, gymnastics, wrestling, and football. Tom played fullback and defensive back at John Reynolds Junior High School and later J.P. McCaskey High School, which led to a lifelong, extreme passion for both Penn State and Philadelphia Eagles football. For decades on Fall Saturday afternoons, the mood of Tom and consequently the staff of the StockYard Inn rose and fell with the success of the Joe Paterno-led Penn State Nittany Lion football teams.

Driven by his patriotism, Tom along with several Greek-American cousins and friends enlisted in the United States Army in the Fall of 1956. After basic training in California, Tom went on to serve in the 5th Infantry Division, Company I, Eleventh Infantry Regiment and then later as part of the newly reformed 10th Infantry Division in the Bavarian Forest of Germany. Tom delighted in telling stories about his days in the military, and about his travel time while on leave, including to his family’s home island of Kos, Greece.

After returning from his service in Germany, Tom joined his father, James S. Fournaris, in the operation of the StockYard Inn and re-kindled his friendship with Athena Archimedes of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tom and Athena eventually married in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 3, 1962 and settled in Lancaster.

During his sixty-five year restaurant career, Tom and his wife Athena transformed the StockYard Inn, which was purchased by his father in 1952, from a rough and tumble inn and bar that primarily served the cattlemen of the adjoining Union Stock Yards into a fine dining, landmark restaurant that served generations of Lancaster families. Whether at the StockYard Inn or at home, Tom had an equal passion for both creating and enjoying excellent cuisine – from Philadelphia style snapper soup with Sherry wine to duck a la orange to caramel crème brulee. Tom also enjoyed mentoring and coaching others, both in business and in life, helping many dishwashers, busboys and waiters to become chefs and restauranteurs in their own right. Apart from his restaurant and its patrons, Tom adored and was dedicated to his family and enjoyed numerous, particularly close friendships. Above all else, Tom’s true passion was his wife and never ending commitment to his family and friends. He was a deeply devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. His children and grandchildren brought him tremendous joy and a deep sense of pride. He was especially gratified to see his children and grandchildren grow and develop.

A cancer survivor, Tom came to view his battle with cancer as an obstacle in life to be overcome, which further enhanced his appreciation for life, family and friends. Notwithstanding his illness and treatments, Tom literally never complained and never really retired from his restaurant business. Rather than retire, Tom continued to go into the StockYard Inn nearly every day until well into his 80’s, visiting with Athena, his son Jim and the restaurant’s loyal staff, and delighted in making a special dish or sauce until the restaurant’s closure in 2021.

Tom was a longtime member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, where he had previously served on the Parish Council. He was also a member of the AHEPA Red Rose Chapter 71 and Lamberton Lodge 476, Free and Accepted Masons.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Athena A. Fournaris; two loving sons, James T. (Lancaster) and Constantine (“Dean”) T. (Chestnut Hill, PA); his daughter-in-law, Christina Mesires Fournaris; and his three grandchildren, Hannah, Thomas (“Tommy”) and Helena Fournaris. He is also survived by his beloved siblings, Diana F. Zervanos (Lancaster) and Theodore J. Fournaris (Miami, FL), his sister-in-law Carol A. Leon, his brothers-in-law Nikitas, J. Zervanos, Alexander C. Archimedes and Theodore J. Leon, and their respective families, including many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing on Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Trisagion service at 7 p.m. at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 64 Hershey Avenue in Lancaster, PA 17603. Another viewing will take place on Friday, December 13, 2024 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with funeral service to follow starting at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Hector Firoglanis officiating. Interment will follow at Conestoga Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider contributions in memory of Thomas J. Fournaris to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund, 64 Hershey Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603 or to the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute, 2102 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601.

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