Tribute by George L. Anastos

August 9 marked the 40th anniversary of the passing of my father, Louis G. Anastos, a.k.a. “Papa Lou.”

After leaving the Coast Guard after WWII, he took over his father’s business, the Apollo Spa. I can remember going down to open the Spa as a four-year-old at 5 a.m. I would go home and I would see him at 5 p.m., but not for long. He would go back to work and come home at midnight.

This went on seven days a week in the summertime. During the off season, he’d be home at 10 p.m. He served the town 364 days a year. At Thanksgiving, there were Table Talk pies for the townsfolk. At Easter, he made baskets and decorated the shelves with them. In those days, everybody came in the store, from bankers to bookies.

So, for all the old-timers who remember, and all the new folks who don’t, I want to honor a man they just don’t make anymore – my father.