Charles D. Gaitanis

Charles D. (Chuck) Gaitanis, 97, of Lower Burrell, died Friday, March 27, 2020, in UPMC St. Margaret Hospital. He was born February 14, 1923 in Pittsburgh, son of the late George and Rose (Oles) Gaitanis. Chuck had lived in Lower Burrell since August, 1966. He was a proud Army veteran of WW II, having served in the 303rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 78th Infantry Division.  Chuck received his B. S. Degree in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in June 1952 and started work at the Aluminum Research Labs in June, 1952. He retired from Alcoa Labs in February 1986.  Chuck was a former member of both the Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy and the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh. Chuck was a connoisseur of fine dining and drinks (Chivas on the rocks with a splash of club soda) and had an established protocol of dining every Thursday evening at Hoffstot’s in Oakmont, every other Tuesday at Tarentum Station (Frank Sinatra Table), every Saturday at Grieco’s Carefree Inn in Indianola, and a more casual meal every Sunday at Villa Ballanca in Lower Burrell. He also enjoyed his weekly “board” meetings with his retired Alcoa friends and the monthly Alcoa retiree meeting at Hillcrest Country Club. Besides his parents, Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Mihalus Gaitanis, his son, Gregory Gaitanis and a sister. In addition to his Alcoa family, he is survived by two grandchildren, Casey Harsh and Matthew Harsh, and several nieces and nephews. Due to the strict guidelines that we must adhere to at this crucial time, services and burial are private. Arrangements entrusted to Frank F. Gigler Funeral Home Inc., Robert P. Karish, Supervisor, 2877 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell, PA 15068. Memorial contributions may be made to Lower Burrell Meals on Wheels, 1009 Puckety Church Road, Lower Burrell, PA 15068. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles D. Gaitanis, please visit our floral store.