Athanasios "Tom" Gavrielides, PhD

"Memory Eternal"

It is with great sadness that we share that Athanasios "Tom" Gavrielides fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the age of 83.

Tom was born on March 25, 1943, in Thessaloniki, Greece, to Theofanis and Ekaterini Gavrielides (Papageorgiou). At the age of 18, he left his family and friends to come to the United States to attend university. He attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he met and fell in love with his wife, Elizabeth (Sokolovsky). They were married on December 27, 1966.

Tom earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois and later a Master of Science from DePaul University. He and Elizabeth then moved to Minnesota, where he completed his PhD in Physics.

After earning his doctorate, Tom began his career as a research physicist at Phillips Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base, bringing him and Elizabeth to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1977. There, they built a beautiful life together and welcomed their daughter, Irene Elizabeth, on April 8, 1980.

Tom had many passions, the greatest of which was cooking and hosting family and friends. He also loved opera, skiing, golfing, and traveling. His career provided opportunities to see the world through lecturing, research, and conferences. He later served as head of the European Office of Aerospace Research and Development, which took him and Elizabeth to London, England, where they lived for five years.

The greatest joy of Tom's life was his two grandchildren, Joseph and Theodore. Nothing made him happier than watching them play soccer, basketball, and football. He had a special love for children and treasured every moment with his grandsons.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Elizabeth; his loving daughter, Irene, and her husband, Matt; his grandsons, Joseph and Theodore; his brother, George, and sister-in-law, Pat; and his niece, Tina; and other extended family and loved ones. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theofanis and Ekaterini.

Funeral services will be held at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment at Fairview Memorial Park. A reception will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mercy Ships or SURPASS (Support Undergraduate Research in Physics & Astronomy and Student Success).

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May his memory be eternal.
Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη.