James Batrus

James Thomas “Jimmy” Batrus, 83, of Herndon, Va., formerly of Altoona, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 20, 2022, at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, Va., after a brief illness. He was born in Altoona, son of the late Thomas Abraham and Anna (Joseph) Batrus.

On June 12, 1960, he married Frieda Christodoulos at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Altoona. She preceded him in death July 16, 2015. The lucky couple spent 55 wonderful years together.

He retired in October 2014 as a self-employed Chef-Caterer. Jimmy’s philosophy was “when you have a lemon, make lemonade,” which he lived. Jimmy had a variety of jobs in his life but always came back to food service. He started out working for his father at Tom & Joe’s Diner in 1966 and came back to work there in 2014. In between, he ran his own establishment, Batrus Grill, and started a successful catering business, Ala-Carte Catering. Jimmy also managed two local cafeterias at Veeder-Root Co. and Butterick Co. Inc.

He was proud of catering the railroad picnic where he served more than 2000 people and the AAABA 5-day baseball tournament in 1977 when it was held in Altoona after the third Johnstown Flood. Jimmy also had fond memories of the many After-Glos he catered alongside his father.

He was a member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Altoona.

Jimmy was a 1958 graduate of Altoona High School. He was an Eagle Scout as a child and loved being a drummer for both D.S. Keith Junior High and Altoona Senior High School. He was a member of PSU ROTC for a time as well as Altoona’s Lions Club. Jimmy was proud to have bowled a perfect 300 game. He enjoyed listening to jazz music, playing the harmonica and was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State Nittany Lions.

He is survived by two children, Julie (John K.) Carbaugh of Herndon, Va., and James J. “JB” (Stephanie) Batrus of Altoona; two sisters: Donna Mae Guyer and Carol Sorchetti, both of Altoona. Jimmy is also survived by four grandchildren: Daniel J., Matthew J. and Sara E. Carbaugh and Olivia L. Batrus.

He was preceded in death by a brother, George T. Batrus; and a sister, Jean P. Polignone.

Friends will be received from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2022, at Jones Funeral Home, Altoona, where a Trisagion Service will be held at 6 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28, 2022, at St. George Orthodox Church, Altoona, with the Very Rev. Father Isaac Danevicias officiating.

Interment at Grandview Cemetery, Altoona.