Historian Irving Andre who has chronicled the life of legendary businessman/ sportsman and philanthropist, Waddy Anthony Astaphan, in a 113-page book entitled “a biography of Anthony Waddy Astaphan” has described him as a man who has made a meaningful contribution to the development of Dominica’s development.
Born on October 10, 1923, in Suriname, Astaphan arrived in Dominica in 1933 with his family and his father (Anthony) opened up a modest business in Roseau selling staples such as sugar, flour, rice and butter to locals.
Waddy attended the St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) where he excelled both in academics and sports. He represented the school in both cricket and football and did very well in the senior Cambridge Examination gaining a distinction in Geography in 1940.
He also fulfilled his father’s wish by forgoing a career in medicine to join the family business in 1941. During the decade, Andre writes in his book, Astapahn boldly expanded the scope of the business by manufacturing furniture with Dominica’s timber and exporting vanilla, cocoa and bay oil.
Irving Andre, who spoke via Skype from Canada, at the launch of the book at Fort Youg Hotel on Monday, describes Astaphan as “a stickler for punctuality and production and for a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. He said it is as a result of those qualities, that he was able to take the family-owned company to the type of business that it is today.
“He was a remarkable and successful business person and cofounded the organization of Good and Accountable Government and helped people in sports and trained them in the business sphere. Waddy became ill but fought a hard long battle against his illness until his death in 2016,” Andre stated. “His legacy lives on with a thriving business which continues to employ hundreds of workers. His thrift, his generosity, determination and dedication are qualities which will continue to resonate throughout the length and breadth of Dominica.”
One of the sons of Waddy Astaphan, s prominent regional lawyer, Anthony Astaphan, said his father resided on “principle.”
“We are all proud to have had a dad …who ensured we all got the education and discipline needed or not and always put things in his context,” Astaphan stated.
The book, laced with six chapters, begins with the early history of Waddy Astaphan, then moves into the apprenticeship of Waddy Astaphan from 1941-1961, the genesis of the Astaphan conglomerate, marriage and family, medical challenges and at chapter six, ends with “Waddy Astaphan’s legacy.”
The only thing I have to say is thank you Waddy for firing me from J Astaphan; it was a blessing in disguise and I thank God. Spent two years there and he referred to me as nothing else but, “the girl in Tony’s office”….lol. Is so my feisty self was not scared of him.
Never a fan,i think these people are and will always be slave masters,and sad so many of our people see a different picture,they have just kept this country back,yet the have all the wealth.
Waddy Astaphan surely has made a tremendous contribution to Dominica ‘s economic develop throughout the last half century by creating jobs,providing affordable products to the Dominican public and so on.The biggest drawback of his legacy is that monster of a son tony.Sometimes I cannot understand tony who was born in Dominica, can have such contempt for his country.
Waddy surely contributed a lot to this country. If it was not for his offsprings one would be tempted to call him one of Dominica’s greats. One of them even dares to say: my father resided on “principle.” Leaves me to ask that little person, do you even know the meaning of this word PRINCIPLE, Sir? I guess not…! What a shame.
That is a great story I can relate to that I knew Waddy and hi family very well I work for him for 15 years as a mechanic
at the Fond Cole garage he was a wonderful man I remember his dad who lived in the where Fond Cole house where the family once live. His dad pappy was on every one that work there nerve very troublesome old man.
Tony should be ashame to say his father resided on PRINCIPLE. So the question is did you get dragged up on the streets like a vagabond because you sure fo not have not one once of PRINCIPLE.
Because he doesn’t support UWP? Give me a break. Get it in your head that UWP is a thing of the past, and stop hating people simply because they won’t follow UWP. You will develop cancer because of all this hatred. Let it go!
…for selling his soul to the devil. But watch out for Karma…
“Because he doesn’t support UWP?”
No clown DC, because no one knew what he stood for, but go after us because we complained professionally the failures of Skerrits leadership. It was a matter of “Shut your mouth …and let the bobol and failed corrupted Labour government continue with its corrupted Bobol business, with a well placed hopeless PM Skerrit at the helm of this failed Labour government ably supported with nonsensical talk from this irrelevant Tony Astaphan. What a waste of time. This man Tony has nothing to contribute to the decency of our country and the respect for our Opposition Leader Hon Linton`s, determination who exposed this failed Skerrit and his failed Bobol government. That is what is biting this immature loud mouth Tony Astaphan, who has absolutely nothing of substance and decency to talk about. He hates our highly professional UWP Team and its decent honest well established Hon Linton, well deserves Leader of the Opposition who exposed Skerrit`s Bin Bobol…
Views expressed, reality is the biggest clown 🤡 is Lennox Linton because he doesn’t want to face the inevitable. My grandpa would say, if you have nothing good to say be quiet. With all your name calling and innuendos you still have to go to bed and wake up, with Skerrit being PM and you Lexicon daydreaming. I living my life. Thanks to the Astaphan Family for their continued contributions.
DNO, thank you for sharing.
It is good to read about the positive things of Life, such as the story of Mr. Waddy Astaphan. Success comes based on our positive zeal to find it. The Astphans did; and so can many of the rest of us, who walks with a mind of wisdom, fortitude, and a clean desire for victory.
Tony, Jan and Charlie (Chad) are about to ruin that legacy.. whoops..
…about to ruin? or have…?
Certainly Tony hurts his legacy. Without Tony Astaphan Waddy Astaphan would be long remembered. But when one thinks of Tony being his son? Tony spoils the soup. Wish that Tony was not born in Dominica
Make an effort to get this guy’s birth certificate and you will be surprised to see his place of birth
So spill the beans bro, where ways Tony born then or is it a state secret.