A beloved chippy owner who “fed generations” in Edinburgh has sadly passed away.
Tony Andreucci, 66, owned Tony’s Chippy, which is currently located on Niddrie Mains Road in the capital, for over 30 years. The 66-year-old, who is survived by his daughter Tina Andreucci Panetta and wife Marisa Andreucci, was well-known in the community and tributes have flooded in.
His heartbroken friend Helen McMurdo spoke to Edinburgh Live to share her memories of Tony and what he meant to locals in the Niddrie area. The 49-year-old started working at Tony’s Chippy when she was 18 and has been close friends with the Andreucci family ever since.
Over the years she said Tony became a “wee bit of a father figure” as she helped out at the shop and cared for his daughter, Tina. Helen, from Niddrie, recalled Tony being a tireless worker and a kind boss.
She said: “He never rested. Tony was at the shop from the morning into the night. He’d fix everything himself. We called him Bob the Builder. Even on a day off he’d do gardening at the house. He was always on the go, very busy and hardworking.
The 49-year-old also spoke on Tony’s local business that made a mark on the Niddrie community for decades. She said: “Tony had a good name. It was always a busy shop, it worked well in the community. He looked after and employed so many local people. He was there for such a long time that he fed all the high schools and the young ones up and coming, generations [of Niddrie folk].”
Helen also remembered him for his good spirit and sense of humour. She said: “He was a great guy. He liked a joke and had a funny laugh. He wasn’t too serious and would always lighten the mood.”
Helen recalled a time she was stocking a shelf when a bottle of sauce came loose and fell onto Tony’s head. She said: “Anyone else would’ve been angry at that but Tony was just laughing. He was a jolly person.”
Niddrie residents, customers, friends, and former employees took to social media to express their love for Tony – with some sharing stories of their own. One commenter recalled Tony sending him and his pals to another chippy in the area with an Italian phrase to give to the owner. In keeping with Tony’s character, the word had a rude meaning, with the commenter adding, “Hilarious. I mentioned this to his sons who own the Clamshell chippy on the High Street. Gave them a laugh. Hope they’re all doing ok.”
Tony’s food was as well-known as he was and many locals reminisced about the mouth-watering meals they enjoyed over the years at Tony’s Chippy. A former Niddrie resident shared: “I used to love that chip shop when I lived in Edinburgh. I was born in Niddrie and loved it. Sorry to hear of his passing, that’s sad news to wake up to. His food was always amazing.”
Another added: “Shame, nice guy. My mum worked there for years as a bairn then again before he left. He was some guy, could be cheeky too hahah”. One customer simply said: “Best chip roll ever”. A local penned: “He was defo part of our community”.
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