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Space Command (1953–1954)
10/10
"Uncle Andy" ...background life summary
15 May 2014
Andrew Anthony was born Andrew Zubak, and lived with his family in the area of Beamsville, Ontario, Canada. In his teens, he suffered at the hands of an uncomfortable family situation, and so he was formally adopted by my grand-parents...of the same area. He being a close school friend of my uncle, living on the farm as well, along with my mother.

My grandmother held Andy near to her artistic heart and provided the wear-with-all to explore his acting interests. Elwy Yost, "Scotty," William Shatner, et all, attended the same Acting Academy in Toronto. Coupled with his "Barrymore" looks, he succeed in short order. Thus, was the launching of Canada's first and only offering up to the Sci-Fi "gods." And, if memory serves me, was the first "Space" show on any channel.

He started out on his acting quest following his leaving the RAF...he never saw "action," ...saying that he got there, Britain, just in time to come home. He was a "dashing sight" in his RAF Uniform.

I recall playing with his German souvenirs, which he secreted in his bedroom closet...on my grand-parent's farm. Later, he came to marry the beautiful daughter of a Toronto, Greek, restaurateur, Anne ???. I always thought that she looked a lot like Jane Russell, but with a cuter and less harsh features. She had been a model on the "Price is Right," of those early years. They had two boys together and lived in New York during his "modelling years." A few of his "personas" were to be found in high fashion magazines of the time...which mom faithfully kept, but which have been lost over time.

Space Command was a "command" performance for us kids. Dad bought a new/old b/w TV, just for the occasion. We never missed an episode. Unfortunately, the show was not picked up for another season and for unknown reasons, not shared with "the family." Andy traded in the glamour of New York for the glitz of Hollywood, California. It was their that he got involved with the chemical industry and served for many years as the manager of a paint company.

When he visited our farm once, he had brought a liquid chemical, that he would pour on his hands and then he would stun us kids by putting them into a burning fire, during our hot dog roasts on the farm's drive way.

Aunt Anne, being a fashionista was very conscious of her appearance and spent ages getting herself "put together" before facing the world. This ultimately, led to her untimely death. Andy remarried his secretary from the paint factory and lived in Whittier, California for many years. Had one daughter, who later moved to Portland, Oregon. He followed, years later, following the death of his second wife, to live with her, as he needed constant care. She was/is a lovely girl and it was their that he advanced to the great stage in the heavens. His two sons lived back in Los Angeles, California.

I shall never forget that beaming smile which he always wore. And his resonant baritone Elizabethan speech, learned earlier in acting school.

Sadly, Andy died not too long ago of complications resulting from what he constantly was angry about...an unfortunate complication of cancer. We often exchanged letters through the years, and we both enjoyed our mutual comfort from them.

Alan Dempster Vineland, Ontario, Canada.
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