In Memory of White Pony Tony
Donation protected
Tony Lugthart, known to many of his close friends as "White Pony Tony," and to his A1 customers as "The Godfather of Shine", passed away on Saturday, June 11th at Virginia Hospital Center. He bravely battled against liver cancer for 2 years.
My dad was a colorful character that brought excitement to the lives of many. He ran his own shoe shine business for over 25 years. He made a family out of his customers and those who worked near his shoe shine stands. Some of his customers stayed with him for decades and became close friends. He was proud of all his customers and the friends he made, often connecting them with one another. He always found a way to bring them up in conversation.
He shined the shoes of several notable people at his flagship location, McCormick & Schmick’s, and at other events. These include Former House Majority Speaker Tom Delay, James Hoffa Jr., George Clooney, the late Coach John Thompson, and the list goes on. The moniker "Godfather of Shine," came from his well-known "James Brown Shine," in which he would play James Brown's biggest hits while simultaneously busting fancy dance moves and shining his customers shoes. James Brown heard about him and sent an autograph to my dad reading "To Tony, I started right where you're at. You see, you never know!" Over the years he grew his business opening multiple locations at reputable establishments such as at the Mayflower Hotel, Omni Shoreham Hotel, and many more. He also made three appearances in the Washington Post and one appearance in the Amtrak Magazine for "Best Shoe Shine in Washington, D.C."
He was a generous and charitable man who liked to help people get back up on their feet. He would often offer employment to those in need at his shoe shine business and frequently gave away his meals.
At home, he was a loving partner to my mother and great father, spoiling us both as much as possible. For Christmas, he would get me everything I asked for, and it was a pretty long list. He came into our lives when I was 2 years old. Coincidentally, we had the same first and middle name - something he saw as fate. He fell in love with my mom and I, and the rest is history.
My father is survived by my mother Candy Vasquez, myself, daughter Lorissa Davis, parents Jeanne and Lee Hendricks; siblings Debra Johnson, Kim Lugthart, Lisa Lane Burke, Anne Barnett; grandchildren Haylie, Fayth and Kanoa; great-grandchildren Oakley Singleterry and Leialoah. And eight loving nieces and nephews, and 10 grand-nieces and -nephews.
Tony was preceded in death by his brother Michael, and father Gerald Dennis Lugthart.
My mother and I have set up this memorial fund to cover funeral and burial expenses. Tony will be laid to rest at Mount Comfort Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia.
My dad was a colorful character that brought excitement to the lives of many. He ran his own shoe shine business for over 25 years. He made a family out of his customers and those who worked near his shoe shine stands. Some of his customers stayed with him for decades and became close friends. He was proud of all his customers and the friends he made, often connecting them with one another. He always found a way to bring them up in conversation.
He shined the shoes of several notable people at his flagship location, McCormick & Schmick’s, and at other events. These include Former House Majority Speaker Tom Delay, James Hoffa Jr., George Clooney, the late Coach John Thompson, and the list goes on. The moniker "Godfather of Shine," came from his well-known "James Brown Shine," in which he would play James Brown's biggest hits while simultaneously busting fancy dance moves and shining his customers shoes. James Brown heard about him and sent an autograph to my dad reading "To Tony, I started right where you're at. You see, you never know!" Over the years he grew his business opening multiple locations at reputable establishments such as at the Mayflower Hotel, Omni Shoreham Hotel, and many more. He also made three appearances in the Washington Post and one appearance in the Amtrak Magazine for "Best Shoe Shine in Washington, D.C."
He was a generous and charitable man who liked to help people get back up on their feet. He would often offer employment to those in need at his shoe shine business and frequently gave away his meals.
At home, he was a loving partner to my mother and great father, spoiling us both as much as possible. For Christmas, he would get me everything I asked for, and it was a pretty long list. He came into our lives when I was 2 years old. Coincidentally, we had the same first and middle name - something he saw as fate. He fell in love with my mom and I, and the rest is history.
My father is survived by my mother Candy Vasquez, myself, daughter Lorissa Davis, parents Jeanne and Lee Hendricks; siblings Debra Johnson, Kim Lugthart, Lisa Lane Burke, Anne Barnett; grandchildren Haylie, Fayth and Kanoa; great-grandchildren Oakley Singleterry and Leialoah. And eight loving nieces and nephews, and 10 grand-nieces and -nephews.
Tony was preceded in death by his brother Michael, and father Gerald Dennis Lugthart.
My mother and I have set up this memorial fund to cover funeral and burial expenses. Tony will be laid to rest at Mount Comfort Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia.
Organizer
Gerald Vasquez
Organizer
Alexandria, VA
