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Foxy's Unforgettable Characters - the Final Part
It's been fun reminiscing about people I have known over the 58-plus years I've been a North Country resident. There are many memorable characters, indeed, and I have appreciated the additions from fellow bloggers. My list of "Foxy's Ten Most Unforgettable Characters" was completed before I began the series with Part One. The first eight choices, in random order, have been: Joe Bornstein, Michael Finnegan, Gary Finney, Bobby Hall, Gordie Little, Dave Mayette, Billy McNeil and Mayor Roland St. Pierre. That leaves just two! One has been mentioned by fellow bloggers. The other, however, has not been mentioned, but I have a feeling that most readers will agree with my choice.
Hence, the final two choices of people I have known who are "memorable characters," people who often brought a smile to my face, for one reason or another.
#9 - STAN "THE MAN" WOODWARD - I have to admit I never even spoke to Stan. But, as I was a youngster growing up in Plattsburgh, I probably saw Stan "The Man" everytime I was on City Hall Place. He just always seemed to be around, standing in front of the Hotel Deliri, or crossing the street towards the diner or turning the corner and heading down Bridge Street. If you never knew him, you should know he was a "little person." My friend Sal Righi recalls that Stan would be in the Fourth of July parade, usually on the Genesee Beer float. He'd do flips and cartwheels to entertain the crowd. I like to think that had I been older, maybe Stan and I would have been drinking buddies, although I'm not sure I could keep up with him! He was a well-loved Plattsburgh guy who had many friends. I wish I had known him better.
#10 - AL ZAFERAKIS - Without a doubt, "Z" was quite a character. Fun-loving and caring, he was the kind of guy who knew everyone. And everyone loved him. A teacher at Plattsburgh Middle School, he was known as "Mr. Z." Sometimes his booming deep voice would resound through the halls. Z's classrooom was full of plants, and my friend John Haubner recalled a few days ago how Z used to give out tomato plants to anyone and everyone around town. In front of Stafford Middle School today is the Al Zaferakis Memorial Garden. When Z would leave school for lunch, he would light up a big cigar and head to Nick's Restaurant on Brinkerhoff Street. No matter what he ate for lunch, he'd top it off with a bowl of rice pudding before he left. In winter he'd wear that big fur coat, and, on the way there and on the way back to school, there was always a chorus of honking cars, because everybody knew Z. In the summertime he was Clare & Carl's most popular carhop, a job he loved, because he would see so many friends. Several years ago I had a party of "old-timers" from my early days of teaching. Guys like Mal, John, Ray, Paul, Rod, Rich, Sal, Skip, Arnie and Mike. There were many legendary stories told and most them involved Z in one fashion or another, whether it was sailing over the Smith-Weed Bridge or playing golf in Canada. Z died at a young age. We all knew it was unfair, but figured God needed a "head honcho" in heaven. If you knew Z, you still miss him. He was one of a kind!
HONORABLE MENTION - Several bloggers mentioned several names that would be on their own list of memorable characters. Some are people I knew, some I didn't. Had my list been longer I would probably have included the following: Barry Branon, Happy LaMare, The Plattsburgh North Star Wild Man, the Giroux Boys in their younger years (especially Joe, George and Marcel), my own brother Goose, Max Larios, my high school buddy John Des Rocher and my fraternity brother Ernie Witkowski.
What all this points out, I guess, is that the North Country is probably one of the most colorful and fun places to live because of the memorable people who are here!
Comments
hi,
i am an old student of MR. Z's ,in fact I am 58 years old. I was one of his math students in the 7th grade, my father was in the air force in Plattsburgh in the 50's. I woke up yesterday with Mr. Z's name and face in my head and wanted to see if I could find out what had become of him. I am so sorry that I waited sooo long to tell him that he was one of the most caring MATH teachers that I ever had. He never made you feel stupid. I had a major case of math anxiety, I believe he also was my PE coach for what I cant remember.. Maybe girls softball ? or just gym.
If you have any information about him and how he passed I would love to know. Also if you have a picture of him in early years and later years I would like that as well..
Thank you and it is great to know that there is a memorial garden in his name.
Thanks again.
Janis
(Foxy's note: Janis, thanks for your kind and true words about a great man who influenced many students and a group of young teachers as well, myself included. In fact, it is "Z" who gave me my nickname "Foxy." I will contact you at your e-mail in a few days with further info.)
Posted by: janis snelling | August 5, 2007 7:59 PM
Foxy. It's great to have someone remember my Uncle Stant in a positive way. I was very young when Stant was roaming around Plattsburgh, and I do recall those times, but I choose to remember him coming over to my mother's house for holiday meals. I tried wrestling with him once, being as tall as he was at that time, and he threw me around like a rag doll! He may have been a dwarf, but he obviously had a man's strength, whereas I was just a stupid kid. I also knew "Zeke," as my mother thought the world of him when they worked together at Clare and Carl's. He was a big man who was larger than life in everything he did and said. I know Mary Lou well, too, and her loss has been heartfelt for many years by more people than maybe even she realizes. I also remember working with you in Clinton County youth baseball matters. I may now live in Vermont, but my heart is pure North Country.
(Foxy's note: Nice to hear from you, Todd, and great to get some more memories about those good ol' days.)
Posted by: Todd Woodward | November 16, 2006 3:00 PM
Your final unforgettable characters finally propelled me to comment as I knew them both well. Stan being my uncle and Al "Zeke" Zaferakis a dear friend. Uncle Stant (real name Stanton) was definitely a little person, but known by many. I remember him entertaining live on the stage at the Strand prior to movies. And "Zeke" I first knew as a young teenager when he worked with my mother who was a cook at Clare 'N Carls for many years while Zeke carhopped. Great guy - with a ready smile and that deep voice that greeted you. Speaking of North Country characters, my mother was well known, at least in Peru, as a die-hard (and outspoken) Peru sports fan (and Yankee fan) who almost single-handedly raised 8 kids and produced a few outstanding athletes - Barbara Woodward. My brother, Barney, probably the most well known, but Frank was (and still is) an excellent track athlete, and Scott who still coaches (most recently the "EMUS" girls track team). By the way, Foxy, although I don't remember ever meeting you, I, too, graduated in 1966 from Peru and remember cheerleading for Peru when they played basketball in the OLVA gym. Anyway, love reading your blogs and having my memory jogged about people, places and events that bring some nice memories to the forefront, if only for a short while.
Posted by: Cheryl Breen Randall | June 15, 2006 10:52 PM
They were all folks that made Plattsburgh what it is today, the good and bad. I look back on the folks I can remember from growing up in Beekmantown and moving to the city when I was 19, working the bar scene I got to meet my share. I moved away from all that in the late 1990's but still think about the old days all the time.
Posted by: William Phaneuf | June 14, 2006 6:28 AM
HEY" - I JUST READ YOUR BLOG. I AM FROM SO DAKOTA BUT WENT TO SCHOOL AT OLVA. NOT YOUR GENERATION. I ALSO AM BILLY MCNEIL'S UNCLE. I KNOW THE PEOPLE YOU TALK ABOUT BUT THEIR FATHER OR MOTHER. BEEN GONE FOR 46 YEARS - LIKE YOUR BLOGS THANKS KEN
Posted by: Ken monette | June 13, 2006 8:06 PM
Ah, my brother in law, Mr. Z! How I still miss him! You captured the very heart of AL; How he LOVED people and all who LOVED him. Thank you so very much for remembering him. I know he is having a beer with Jack and Helene (my parents) in heaven!
(Foxy's note: Thanks for the comments! I saw Mary Lou Zaferakis this afternoon at the Eat Dessert First Cancer Survivor Celebration. She gave me a hug on behalf of Z and told me a few stories about him.)
Posted by: Christina Slattery Wendlandt | June 11, 2006 10:03 AM
Jeezum Crow, Foxy!! Ernie Witkowski, who's now Superintendent at Lisbon Central School over here in St. Lawrence County?? You nailed it on the head, sir, Ernie is a character!
(Foxy's note: Yes, Scott, the one and the same Ernie Witkowski! He was my Pi Alpha Nu fraternity brother and good friend in college. Plenty of great times at his apartment on the corner of Couch & Williams streets and plently of laughs at Filion's on Bridge Street. He has been a great educator and is well-remembered by those who knew him in college.)
Posted by: Scott Dosztan "S-M-B" | June 11, 2006 2:20 AM
You are a true man's man Foxy!
(Foxy's note: Thanks, Diane! You are quite a character yourself!)
Posted by: Diane | June 10, 2006 11:28 PM
G'day, Foxy!
Another I personally add to your list is Ray Slater, former Advertising Manager at the Press Republican. His sheer size was formidable to say the least. But, this great gentleman did more to help me shape my career in PR advertising than any other.
Besides, I'm sure, many others in the 'Burgh remember his humor and brilliant strategic mind.
Another name I would add is the remarkable Flora Myatte. What a women! She did more to mentor young women than any other. She led by example and what an example!
The seeds of my involvement in the political scene were nurtured by these two more than anything else.
I realize these are two of my most memorable "characters", but, I do know they played well into the tapastry of what is Plattsburgh!
Keep up the great work you're doing, Foxy. Makes me homesick for all the old gang.
Lynda
(Foxy's note: Great choices! I didn't know either Ray or Flora personally, but I remember seeing them around Plattsburgh.)
Posted by: Lynda (Bouyea) Bevins | June 10, 2006 6:29 PM
Foxy,
Great blogs they sure bring back memories. I know the north country is full of characters, but when I think of a true north counry character, the name Al "fingers" D'Lano must be on the list. Stories of him on the golf course and around the piano are legendary....
Posted by: Doeboy | June 10, 2006 8:35 AM