[ALBSA-Info] Anthony Athanas: Marathon Man

[albboschurch at juno.com]

                        Anthony Athanas:  Marathon Man
                             A 90th Birthday Tribute

   Some say, he is quintessential Massachusetts, because he's been a
culinary host in the Commonwealth for most of a century;
   Some say, he is quintessential Bostonian, because he had visions for
the harbor when most today were in knee pants; 
   Some say, he's quintessential Albanian-American, because he's ever
ready to meld the proud aspirations of his ancestral birthplace with the
noblest ideals of his adopted land.  

   Fact is: he's a quintessential human being because he's an avid
proponent of the ecumenical precept that: if you respect your own faith
and heritage it enables one to understand and honor others and elevates
societal harmony everywhere. His philanthropy is always principled,
because he never forgets his village origins, has honestly followed the
tugs of his heart and the value he fervently holds for decency and
dedication. Like the amateur boxer he once aspired to be as a youth, he
never shies from a good intellectual tussle - believe me it's a hard bout
to win! For him, this translates into a sense of justice matched only by
an admirable and energetic drive to accomplish everything with excellence
and style. 

   Most of all,  he is quintessentially and uniquely just himself!  In a
way, he is a type of Marathon Man: an independent loner whose heroic
effort fulfills and stretches individual capacity, inspires the many and
thus serves the group. True to his own conscience, passionate in his
beliefs, indefatigueable in work, fully free and energetic, he is a
natural-born perfectionist.

    He relentlessly combines both reason and emotion together with a
vision for the long distance run. Yet who among us has not been witness
to his poet's sense for parable and legendary tale, together with a
moisty tear in his eye for a memory he holds dear. He is enamored of
books owing to an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and he loves people -
broad varieties of them - for the experience of adventure they bring to
life. Successes have been the byproduct of this indomitable spirit. Yet,
he has even found adversity to be occasion to rally for a philosophical
perspective on life, since I've known him to bend his knee and bow his
head quietly in prayer through all life's vicissitudes. For this reason
and more, his deep devotion to Esther, his stalwart sons and their entire
family is an oasis of love and loyalty for him, for them, and for all who
know him.  Popes and Presidents, prima donnas and superstars have seen
this breadth in the man, as have the countless others he has mentored
along the way. 

     If ever there was a legendary "Marathon Man," then surely Anthony
Athanas is quintessentially such a figure. He doesn't know how to quit;
and why should he?  It all began: four score and ten years ago, today.
     God bless you, Anthony. On to 100!


A Birthday Tribute to Anthony Athanas
Very Rev. Arthur E. Liolin

27 July 2001
Anthony's Pier 4
Boston     
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