Constantine “Gus” A. Kaffes, of Swarthmore, PA, fell asleep in the Lord on August 8, 2020. He was 90.

Gus was born on October 15, 1929, the son of Greek immigrants Andrew and Peggy (nee Hartas) Kaffes in Chester, PA.

He graduated from Eddystone High School in 1946, where his classmates voted him the class’s “Best Dancer.”

Gus served his country with pride in the United States Air Force from December 1951 to July 1958, where he was stationed in Amarillo, Texas, and Trenton, N.J., earning the rank of Staff Sergeant and receiving a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.

Following his time in the U.S. Air Force, Gus was employed as a personnel manager for one of Chester’s largest department stores, Weinberg’s, and played for the company’s softball team.

For most of his life, Gus resided in Swarthmore. In 1971, Gus became a proprietor of the family’s restaurant, the Village Restaurant, which was established in Swarthmore in 1962. During his time as its proprietor, Gus touched the many lives of the restaurant’s dedicated employees and loyal customers through his outgoing personality and generosity. He retired in 1999 when the family sold the business.

A great conversationalist, Gus was always there to strike up a chat. He could weave vivid stories about his days growing up in Chester and the early days of the Greek American community that settled there, a community of which he was a fixture. He enjoyed sharing anecdotes about his time in the Service and recounting memories of watching his favorite athletes, musicians, or actors perform.

In addition to being an avid sports fan, especially of baseball and basketball, Gus appreciated a mean Jitterbug, the Big Band Sound, and taking cruises. Most of all, Gus valued being in the company of his friends, who gathered daily at their favorite Delco eateries to reminisce, and he cherished spending precious time with his family, especially his grandnephews and grandnieces.

Gus was a devoted parishioner of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, Media, Pa. and served on the parish council, including a term as vice president, and once chaired the parish’s annual festival. Gus also was an active member of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA), a fraternal-based service association for Greek Americans, and proudly hosted the local chapter’s meetings at the Village Restaurant for decades. He served AHEPA as Chester-Delco Chapter 79 President and District 4 Governor for Pennsylvania.

Gus was the beloved brother of George P. Kaffes and brother-in-law of Maria Kaffes (nee Miller), Swarthmore; devoted uncle of Andrew G. Kaffes and Vasiliki Kaffes (nee Stratis), Ashburn, VA, and devoted uncle of Peggy Anne Warren (nee Kaffes) and David Warren, Wallingford, PA; and loving granduncle to Maria T. Kaffes and David G., Andrew M., and Mia B. Warren. Gus also was survived by many cousins and family friends.

The viewing will be held Friday, August 14, from 9:45 am to 10:45 am at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 30 E. Forge Rd., Media, PA, 19063 and due to Covid-19 restrictions a private funeral service will take place followed by burial in Chester Rural Cemetery, 412 W. 15th St., Chester, PA, 19013.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution in his name to be sent to St. George Greek Orthodox Church.