New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Days after Thanksgiving, Antonios “Tony” Tsantinis, 68, of East Brookfield announced on his business’s social media page that he would be closing the doors of his restaurant, Athens Pizza, because he and his companion Angela DiUlio had both contracted COVID-19.
As Tsantinis’s condition worsened, his daughter Rona Tsantinis-Roy brought him to a Southbridge hospital. However, as the illness progressed the hospital realized that they could not provide the care he needed so they began to call around for an available hospital bed.
After days of trying to find Tsantinis a bed within a 75 miles area, the hospital found one in Connecticut. Sadly, his condition was so dire – he was on a ventilator and his kidneys failed to the point that he needed dialysis – that moving him was not an option.
Shortly after, Antonios “Tony” Tsantinis passed away.
Tsantinis was an anti-vaxxer and therefore was not vaccinated.
The Brimfield Fire Department who considered Tsantinis a friend released a statement after hearing about his passing:
“With heavy hearts, we would like to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of a friend of ours. Antonios Tsantinis- or as most know him “Tony” from Athens Pizza.
He was always a friendly face whether you chatted in town or while stopping in to pick up lunch or dinner. Countless times, Tony and Angela stayed open late to make sure the fire and highway departments had food during long storms- always throwing in extra drinks and chips to make sure we had enough.
A family man and a successful business owner are only two things on a long list of good Tony has done. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.
Brimfield lost a good one, Rest In Peace Tony.”
Facebook photo.
It’s difficult to feel empathy for these anti-vaxxers. To me, it’s no different than religious folks refusing medical help on account of their religious beliefs. They’ve made a choice and choices come with consequences. It’s simple. Want a better chance of surviving? Get the vaccines
Yup, that’s what happens. My dad (69) wasn’t vaccinated. He got sick the weekend before Thanksgiving, HAD a hospital bed and was in the ICU and died a week before Christmas.
Not having a bed in a hospital didn’t kill this guy.
Not having the vaccine did. He, like my dad, made his choice.