Harry Salavantis

1949 - 2021

Harry Salavantis of Kingston Twp. went to sleep in the Lord on Friday, March 26, 2021, in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, due to COVID-19.

Born in Jersey City on May 29, 1949, Harry was the son of the late Stanley and Nitsa Salavantis. The family moved to the Pittston area in 1954 after Harry was kidnapped by a man posing as an uncle and was soon found in a nearby park. This led to the purchase of the family business, the Majestic Lunch, where Harry grew up and learned from his parents the ideals of family and hard work that impacted the rest of his life, ideals he passed on to his own family and friends throughout the years.

While growing up in West Pittston, Harry attended West Pittston High School and was a member of the last graduating class in 1967. He went on to attend the University of Scranton where he majored in psychology while working at Majestic Lunch after school and also at UPS before classes every day. He also became involved with the ROTC and joined the Army Reserves after graduation. He worked at Retreat State Hospital, and it was there that he met the love of his life, Cletta, whom he has been married to for the past 40 years. After Retreat's closing, he worked at Clark Summit State Hospital and White Haven Center as a psychologist and unit leader.

During this time, while juggling family, a full time job and the Army Reserves, he also completed his second master's degree in business administration from Wilkes University. This led to his career change as a real estate developer and owner of Salavantis Construction and Development Company. Some of his most notable business accomplishments included Strawberry Fields, Susquehanna Estates and Cranes Landing residential developments. His passion for business grew leading him to expand into other ventures, including, It's A Lifesaver gas station, in Shavertown.

Since 1994, he also enjoyed using his education and experience to teach economics to the seventh and eighth grade classes at Wilkes-Barre Academy. He wanted to be a mentor to the youth on the importance of understanding the world and its economic impact. He was so proud of his students and the dedication they showed each year. As a result, he sparked an interest in many of the students to pursue their own futures in the financial world.

In 1998 his father, Stanley, decided to retire from the Majestic Lunch. Days before the business was to close, Harry told his father he would take it over, knowing it was his father's legacy and a landmark of Pittston City. Just like his father, you could always find Harry sitting in a booth at the Majestic, sipping on coffee and enjoying the conversations he would have with all the patrons. He also looked at those who worked at the Majestic as family, which never made it feel like a job.

Religion was a cornerstone of Harry's life. He was actively involved on the church committee of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, a member of the church council and a member of the American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Society. He could often be found working in the kitchen at the annual Greek Festivals where people would continually stop in just to see him. He was extremely proud of his Greek heritage. He also followed in the footsteps of his father by becoming a member of the St. John's Masonic Lodge 223 and the Irem Temple Shriners. Another achievement he was extremely proud of was becoming the president of the American Lung Association.

Harry enjoyed so many different things in life, some of which included collecting coins, stamps, baseball cards and exotic cars; listening to The Rolling Stones and the Beetles while driving in one of his red convertibles; the Red Sox (go BoSox!); horse racing (being a co-owner of Tiz the Law); discussing politics especially with his daughter Stefanie; hunting and fishing at the family cabin in Jamison City; and last but not least going to Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Mohegan Sun with Dave, Eddie, Frank and Joe 'Cougar' to play the game he loved - craps.

Harry's love for family knew no bounds. He was a devoted son and brother as well as a wonderful father and grandfather to his seven children and nine grandchildren, and was extremely excited to recently hear it would soon be 10 grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Kimberly; and son, George.

He is survived by his wife, Cletta; and children, Jennifer Dompkosky and husband, Dave; Ambria Salavantis and Craig; Stefanie Salavantis and husband, Jimmy; Stephen Salavantis and Niki; Brittany Holly and husband, Jason; grandchildren, Devon, Chanel, Christopher, Samantha, Cole, Ava, Eulalie, Easton and Remington. He is also survived by his sisters, Helen Salavantis and Mary Knaus (Joseph); sister-in-law, Cappie Evers; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be private and held at the convenience of the family from Daniel J. Hughes Funeral & Cremation Service, Wilkes-Barre.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Wilkes-Barre or Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge.