Stello with Brothers Pete and Demo Stathis Greek dancing. "Stello was like another brother." Stello was raised several years in the Stathis home in Schenectady, NY
"Big Pa Pou" at the Dinner Table. Pause a moment, and meditate, empathize, what the thoughts and feelings were at this time of his life when he moved into the home of his eldest son after his second wife passed-away, approaching now what he knew were his last years as the body slowed-down, after a long life: ever with a pride in Greek identity, the dreams and work and sense of duty that ultimately gave life to his sons and the joys of watching their growing families.
And perhaps, too, a moment here in viewing, to wonder at the thoughts and feelings of Demo and Maria, in their care for the Elder family member...sense of duty, for sure; sense that the natural progression of life.... that his presence among the children in the house... is all part of life; perhaps too...the anguish in Demo, even perhaps around the time of this actual photo, over wondering at the point when he'd have to weigh what care they could provide there at Hancock Drive and what greater care might have been of necessity to give him unto a Nursing Home.
"Big Pa Pou" Charles (Kostaki) Stathis (Stathoyianopolis) Father of Demothenes C. Stathis
The "Heap Boat." This was our great childhood achievement. The 5 youngest brothers each pitched-in $20 to buy the old boat from elderly Mrs. Heap at the Lake. Also called "The Bat Boat" after its slight resemblance to the image from the T.V. show Batman. We learned water skiing only initially through Uncle George and his boat when very young. We all fine-tuned our water-skiing skills through struggling with this "new" heap of a machine, the engine only strong enough to drag us through the water, and if we could hang-on long enough, then we'd be able to stand-up. Uncle George called upon frequently to go shoulder-deep in the water to help us with its many-needed repairs. But it was ours, and our source of joy and companionship on the water.
