SHREWSBURY – As anyone who lived anywhere close to Shrewsbury – and even many people who lived farther away – knew, Anthony “Spag” Borgatti, Jr. was a respected and loved resident of the town. This was because everyone loved shopping at “Spag’s,” his store, for bargains, but also because of the generosity and compassion that he and his wife, Olive (Lutz) Borgatti, showed for the town and its residents.
Many people still remember how, whenever a Shrewsbury resident passed away, Spag and Olive would pay for the “mercy meal” after their funeral, then dedicate a book to the Shrewsbury Public Library in their memory. Whenever someone was in dire circumstances – like an illness or fire at their home – Spag and Olive would help them out until they got back on their feet.
So, when Spag passed away on February 23, 1996, just a few days shy of his 80th birthday, it was a sad day for the town and its residents…