Obituary for Tasso Spanos

Condolence From: Steven Rawlings, OTTO, NY
Condolence: I visited Chautauqua again this summer, and I still expect to see him many moment. I met Tasso back in the 90s when he lectured at the Hall of Philosophy. He convinced me to come to one of his classes and I was amazed. I had never seen so much pain healed in one class. People walking more steady, taller and eyes off the ground!

Tasso healed me more than once, and was an inspiration to my spouse who had the pleasure of working with him for part of a summer later in his life. His life was forever changed as well.

I will probably never stop looking for him, and can still hear his laughter up there in the place all Chautauquans call their true home!

Until we meet again, old friend. Much Love. Steve

Condolence From: Philip Azzolina, Seminole, Florida
Condolence: My father just passed at 93 and it was nice to read people's comments when he passed, so although I didn't know Tasso well, I thought I'd share my story and maybe it will bring a smile, because probably very typical of him.

I met him back in the late 80's (poss early 90's?) at Mario's watching a Steeler game. I had a cough & short of breath, as I was every year late fall allergy season. He introduced himself and insisted he could help me. In the midst of the bar, he had my arms up in the air and was pressing against the nerve that runs through your rib cage and explained why it was causing this problem. I was a bit embarrassed with this guy all over me in the bar but sure enough after awhile it was better.

At the end of the game, walking out, he spied me again and asked if I was still good. I said, no it had returned. We were outside, and yet again, he went to work on me and it was gone. Not just that night, for the rest of the allergy season that year. Wow! That was amazing.

I have had myotherapy since as well as acupuncture and benefited from it, and I might not had he not have taken the time to care. He cared about people. Today, so many people are just in whatever it is for the money. My dad left an engineering job to be a minister in Mt Oliver and SSide, surprised they never met, maybe they did (Rev Matt). But those acts of caring and kindness will live on and I hope propel others to do the same.

Thanks to you the family because when he took time to help others, it was a sacrifice of time from you, but I believe you receive a blessing as well. Thank you too, and Mark, I hope the business is doing well. I saw you once years ago before I moved away.

Condolence From: Gary Fine, Ithaca, NY
Condolence: For the past 20+ years I have been trading treatments with Tasso at the Grassroots Festival at my massage booth. Larger than life he would stroll in every year looking for people in pain so he could show'em a thing or two. What a strong minded, charismatic soul. He will be missed by me and all my massage compatriots. As I age I take even more pleasure in those "one of a kind" humans I have occasion to meet. He certainly was one!

Condolence From: Cecelia Hard, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Condolence: I am so sorry to hear about Tasso's death. My sincerest condolences to all his family. Tasso was a delightful gentleman and a wonderful medical practitioner. He had such a tremendous impact on my life, not only healing my muscle problems, but teaching me how to heal myself when problems arose. I do many of his exercises every day and follow along with his exercise DVD weekly to maintain good function. I can see his delighted expression when I told him I had dubbed the DVD stretching routine "The Full Tasso"! I know he will be greatly missed by many. He touched many lives in so many ways.

Condolence From: Mary Beth (Armstrong) Thakar, Brookline (Clinton before Brookline), pa
Condolence: I never understood Tasso when he was alive. But he has been speaking to me a lot lately, to try his exercises again. And oh, how the muscles are responding.

So I am enjoying him now, more than I ever did earlier, when I was healthier -- and Tasso was healthier. NOW finally, I can SEE what he was trying to say. And fortunately, my muscles are getting the message as well.

He was a beautiful messenger. Then and NOW!!! What a beautiful man he was. I am so impressed with him -- then and NOW!!

Condolence From: Dr. Talia Schenkel, New York, N.Y.
Condolence: My sincerest condolences to Tassos’ family. I met him in New York at Swing 46, and in the few times we met, he left unforgettable impressions of kindness, a desire to help, heal, and teach, and a sense of joie de vivre that was unique.

Condolence From: Nancy Shapiro, Avon, CT
Condolence: I have many fond memories of Tasso who was my associate and friend for twenty years at the Center. Pain relief, music and art were under one roof. Tasso’s passion for learning, teaching and healing was inspiring. He will be missed.

Condolence From: Stephen Smith & Sue Whitaker Smith & Whitaker, Reynoldsburg,, OHio
Condolence: Tasso's quick, sharp mind, high-energy confidence and optimism and his warm, uplifting personality, and caring relationships with other people, will always be remembered.

Perhaps, his most important legacy that he leaves is his outstanding example of cheerful determination under extreme conditions.

God Bless you Tasso Spanos

Condolence From: Marc Finer, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Condolence: Tasso was a dear friend for more that 40 years. He lived his life with such energy and passion that one couldn't help but be inspired. Tasso also gave me an opportunity to learn from him which ultimately led to my career in entertainment technology. He was simply one of a kind and my deepest condolences to Becky and her entire family on their loss.

Condolence From: jebby potter, indian wells, ca, CALIFORNIA
Condolence: HOW VERY MUCH TOM AND I WILL MISS TASSO AND HIS GREART SENSE OF HUMOR.
EVEN 4O YEARS AGO, WHEN HE PRESSURE POINTED ME CAUSING PAIN, HE MADE ME LAUGH. TASSO IS IN HEAVEN WELCOMED BY ALL THE ANGELS...A LOVING AND GIVING MAN.

Condolence From: Toni Goldfarb, Old Tappan, NJ
Condolence: My sincere condolences to the Spanos family on Tasso's passing. I was one of the many people Tasso helped by reducing movement difficulties and muscle pain. I still do many of the exercises he taught in his classes. I will miss him. I hope that over time, his family will share happy memories of Tasso for many years to come.

Condolence From: Roberta Paulson, North Fort Myers, FL
Condolence: It was a delight to be his sister-in-law for almost 60 years. He was much loved by all, and truly a unique and wonderful character. One of his remarkable accomplishments was eating 14 bowls of she-crab soup at my youngest daughter's wedding reception. The world is a little less fun now.

Bobbi Paulson

Condolence From: Kelly Himebaugh, Stamford, CT
Condolence: Please accept my sincerest condolences to Tasso's family. Tasso helped me with my back pain and became a trusted friend. I remember we would listen to music together while he was treating me. Tasso was a curious, passionate, and caring man, and I will remember him fondly.

Condolence From: Judy & Elliot Goldman, Mayville, NY
Condolence: So very sorry to hear of your loss of Tasso. He was bigger than life! I loved his enjoyment of music & dancing at Chautauqua always with a twinkle in his eyes. I credit him with helping to put me back together again after a big car accident. I still do his exercises! My sincere condolences to your family. I looked forward to greeting him every summer. He will be missed by many.

Condolence From: Susan Watkins, Worthington, OH
Condolence: My deepest condolences to the Spanos family. I've worked with his daughter-in-law Joanna for over a decade and I only heard good things about Tasso and how loved and appreciated he was. I wish I could have met him. I hope your fond memories of him will live with you forever.