This week the Illawarra lost a gentleman who became a Balgownie institution.
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For more than 50 years, Tony Vangelovskis put smiles on our faces and food in our bellies with his wife Anna and family at the Balgownie Fish Shop.
This week on a Facebook page in the iconic shop's honour, a tribute post read: "It is with much regret to advise all that sadly Tony has passed away. A true gentleman who made so many of us smile for so many years. To Anna and other close family our thoughts are with you. The world is not as good a place with out the likes of Tony .. may you rest in peace my friend and hoping there is someone in heaven that can make you a hamburger or two."
This story was first published in December 2015. We thought it appropriate to share again with you at this time.
Little has changed in 51 years at Anna and Tony Vangelovskis Balgownie Fish Shop.
Potatoes remain hand-peeled, orders are taken in pencil on notebooks and chips are still served in paper.
There are no service timers, no digital ordering systems and no organic alternatives, just a menu of fried favourites and Annas famous refrain of next order please, love.
The big change will come within three months when the Vangelovskis close the doors on their labour of love for the last time.
The store has operated seven days a week since 1964, winning over generations of customers and becoming part of the community fabric.
''When we retire I say we’re going to be dancing, dancing with the stars!’’
By 11am, the shops 1950s pastel interior is swamped by tradesmen and retirees, a scene that transforms later into kids after school asking how many chips they can get for a dollar, and then families coming in for a Friday night takeaway.
Of the shops famous thick-cut chips, Tony said: I peel fresh potatoes every day, I put them through the cutter and we fry them fresh; other places use frozen but its no good, it has to be fresh.
Like many other Macedonian immigrants, Tonys first job was at the steelworks.
I worked there for six maybe seven years but not much money, so I learned the business from my brothers fish shop and we opened our own, he said.
Anna and Tony have been married since meeting in their village of Capari and spend every day working side by side.
When asked which of them was the boss, Anna insisted it was Tony... but he only laughed, saying: No bosses here. When people ring us and ask if they can speak to the boss, I say, No bosses here, only employees!
Tony and Anna are retiring what they call a big rest from early morning starts and late finishes.
We need to rest, were getting old and the pains are starting. When we retire I say were going to be dancing, dancing with the stars!
Their Balgownie Road business has been bought by a developer who wants to build a boutique selection of... apartments offering contemporary living design.
Frank Flannagan, an 83-year Balgownie veteran, is already mourning the closure of the shop. What will we do without Tony and Anna? he asked.
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