Thanas "Arthur" Laske, 89, of West Hartford, passed away on January 2, 2018. He was born in Permet, Albania to the late Anesti and Katina (Nako) Laske on May 15, 1928. Arthur immigrated to Istanbul (Constantinople) Turkey where he met his wife Aliki (Totonis). He also leaves behind his son Apostol and wife Judy of Wethersfield and his three cherished grandsons Evan, Jordan and Hayden. Arthur also leaves behind many close relatives including his cousin Donna Nakos of Wethersfield, cousins Olga and Vera Nako of West Hartford, cousin Apostol & Jerda Nako from Greece, cousin Victoria Evangelidis from Greece, cousins Foti, Ndronia, Lefter, and Liria from Albania, Godsons John and George Nakos, and many other nieces and nephews in the US, Albania, Greece, Austria, Italy and the UK.
Chasing the American Dream, Arthur immigrated to the US in 1956 with his wife and parents and with the tremendous support of the late Kasim Giaffo. He first worked for Royal Typewriter before opening Family Restaurant across the street from the former Colt's Manufacturing location in the Coltsville historic district of Hartford. He also owned and operated several types of coin operated vending machines that he placed throughout many restaurants in Hartford County. Over time he owned, managed and leased several commercial and residential real estate properties in Hartford and East Hartford. However, his passion was the restaurant and nightclub business because of his love for being around people. In the late 70s, he partnered with the late John Poulos to open the Great Train Robbery Café across from Union Station and also partnered with his dear late cousin Lee Kono and Boyd Morgan to open Lorien and LeJardin on Allyn Street. Later he owned and operated Goodnight Hartford in the prior Lorien location. He retired in 1992 and gave his blessing to his son to open Coach's Sports Bar & Grille in Hartford with several partners.
His other and most rewarding passion stemmed from his ethnic pride in his Albanian heritage. He became part of the Free Albania Central Organization and was very involved in the publication of Liria in Boston, the first Albanian-American newspaper. He also helped support the current St. Mary's Albanian Orthodox Church in Worcester that was built in the early 80s. As if he felt the need to reciprocate Mr. Giaffo's help bringing him to the US, Arthur sought any opportunity he could(and by any means to do so) to help bring other members of his family and Albanians from overseas to the New England area. Arthur always enjoyed large family/friend gatherings with a rotating lamb being cooked outdoors on a spit and some backgammon games and cards being played at his house, his brother in law Kelly Totonis' house, or at Rocky Neck State Park. He also looked forward to his annual pilgrimages to Albania no matter what his health condition was or what obstacles presented themselves. In the early 80s, he was honored to be invited by Enver Hoxha's government to bring a group of Albanian Americans to tour Albania and learn about their roots.
The family would like to thank the many people that helped provide care for Arthur both at the assisted living care facility he resided at for 7 years as well as his recent residency at West Hartford Health & Rehab. They would also like to acknowledge Shpresa Dine, who has not only taken care of his wife Aliki for many years as a comforting caretaker and companion, but she has also helped with Arthur as much as she could. Lastly, besides the aforementioned, the family would like to note the following for their friendship and support of Arthur through the years: Roy Orbell, Henry Olinder, Nazmi Araniti, Basil Douka, Bill Johns, Anthony Athanas, Fr. Arthur Liolin, Anesti Nova, Chris Stone, Dr. David Salm, Alan Lazowski, and many others that may be regrettably missed.
The funeral service will be held at 11 AM, on Monday, January 8, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 433 Fairfield Ave, Hartford. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Friends may call from 1-5 PM on Sunday, January 7th, with a Trisayion Service at 1:30pm at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke, Wethersfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 433 Fairfield Ave, Hartford, CT or St. Mary's Albanian Orthodox Church, 535 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609, care of Thanas Laske. Please visit www.dillonbaxter.com to share a memory with the family.