The irrepressible August Tsanakas is no more. Taken down by a Metra train, while shooting heroin. Services tomorrow in River Grove.
His downward spiral continued after I last saw him in New Orleans a few years back, his brother Billy tells me. Lost all his videos in Hurricane Katrina and caught a blood disease from the water that put splotches on his face. Moved back to Chicago and started shooting heroin. Wore out his welcome in more and more bars and OTBs, until finally none of them would let him in. Finally his family told him to get help before they’d keep giving him money. Instead he went out on the train tracks. Billy says it wasn’t suicide, however–the conductor’s report said that in the end he was trying to get out of the way.
Perhaps more later, but for now, I’ll browse through the old stories of a memorable guy.
oldgreedy. 
July 12, 2007 at 1:29 pm
… lost for words. That guy has had the worst luck. Crazy-ass Auggy Doggy.
July 12, 2007 at 3:29 pm
I feel like I knew him. I guess he’s pushing girlfriends down the hill in heaven now.
July 12, 2007 at 4:17 pm
wow. i can’t believe it. strange to have half-feelings for someone i only read about through oldgreedy. also sad to hear about the tapes being lost to Katrina. dying on the train tracks seems to be the loneliest way to go. everyone hears about your death, but few know you.
July 12, 2007 at 5:25 pm
What does it mean that when you google “August Tsanakas” you get the article about his death and Dave’s blog, and that’s it?
July 16, 2007 at 5:13 pm
It’s pretty morbid, Dave, having this entry sitting at the top of your site for so long. Say something funny.
July 17, 2007 at 9:41 pm
More Auggy Doggy:
http://www.mkblog.mk-magazine.com/wordpress/?p=908
September 15, 2007 at 5:52 am
I am also beside myself. I can’t believe that a man of his reach, a man who touched so many with his character, wit, and genuine interest in filling a void for so many people would be soooo overlooked as his accomplishments eclipse only the few who ventured into such a business venture. I knew him well enough I suppose. Afterall, I googled him every couple of years for the past 14 or so years, expecting to find greatness from what I saw back then, extrapolating from his efforts of those years what he would likely be today. But, perhaps he is an unfortunate example of the business failures caused by technological advances in our environment (eg: You Tube, Google Video, Etc). It’s really very sad that his passing has not drawn more attention. I suggest that someone, perhaps myself, reach out to all of you to meet in chicago on or about the anniversary of his passing. All those in favor…write fhsgt@aol.com
October 25, 2007 at 4:31 pm
The lose of Auggie has truly effected my life. He was a great brother and friend. Sometimes, what people write about him and dont know him is completely untrue. For one… Suicide isnt even an option in a reason for his death. Two he was not “shooting up herion” while he got hit. Yes, it is true that he could have possibly been under the influense when he got hit. But his addiction had nothing to do with a metra train hitting him. RIP my loving brother. i love you and im always thinking about you!!!!! Lucy Tsanakas
November 3, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Lucy,
Thanks for posting. In no way did I mean to do a disservice to his memory in passing along what I was told. I remember August fondly, and the struggles he fought at the end of his life don’t take away from the many positive things he did in his life. He was a friend, and will not soon be forgotten.
June 28, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I remember August as the guy who lived with me the last days of his life. He was a guy who do anything for a heroin fix. I have to say, he was the one who inspired me to get sober, stop drinking and taking any sort of drug. He had a become a total junkie covered with bloody scabs, that he would pick at for hours in the bathroom…really, we would try to stop him from going in the bathroom, because blood and scab would be all over the sink area, and the towels.
I knew August for about a year, and I knew him as the guy who sold blank DVDs to concert goers with fake concert titles like “Sepultura 1991” written on them. He didn’t seem to be fighting anything, he was completely in love with heroin. The last day of his life I saw him coated with sweat as he slept in the heat, and I left my apartment, never to see him again. I found out a couple of weeks later that he had een hit by a train.
I am grateful for meeting August, because he showed me exactly how low a person can sink when you allow addicton to eat you up.
April 1, 2009 at 1:06 am
Steve,
Trying to get a hold of you to talk about Augie. Please contact me.
Bill Tsanakas
billnaugie@att.net
September 25, 2009 at 12:41 am
Hello my name is Tommy, I met Aug and his girlfriend (cant remember her name i think she was a school principal at one time she worked in some store right down the street where they lived., Anyway, i spent about a week and a half at their place, with an ex girlfriend of mine, I have some pics from around Dec 22 2004. i found out about his and his families loss. Sorry to hear about him. Hopefully he is at peace now. If you are related to him and would like the pics let me know. slapabilly@yahoo.com
January 23, 2010 at 7:39 am
We can focus on how the man died or we can lean and celebrate his life.
Much Respect,
George Flores
I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SAID HE TRULY WAS MY BRO… I MET HIM AT THE AGE OF 6 AND KNEW HIM TILL HIS DEATH. WE STARTED MY FIRST, AND HIS FIRST, “HEAVY METAL BAND” HE WAS MORE TO ME THAN JUST A GUY SELLING VIDEOS OR A METAL HEAD…
HE WAS MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND, AND MY BRO!! THU THE YEARS WE MET A LOT OF FAMOUS PEOPLE,BUT VERY FEW CAN SAY THAT THEY REALLY LIVED THE ROCK STAR LIFE… IT IS ONE THING TO BE A MUSICIAN AND PLAY IN A BAND OR HANG AT THE CLUBS. IT IS ANOTHER TO LIVE THE LIFE… AND “BOY WE SURE DID!!” LOVE YOU GUS, AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED!!!!!! YOUR FRIEND AND BRO, ALWAYS!! R.I.P.
George Flores.
May 8, 2010 at 7:43 am
Thank you , George, fo rwords well put.
He wa a force to be rckoned with..and finally met one that he could not push overTo his best friends, Chocolate Eddie, Pete, You, George, who knew and loved him, John Mullin, now doing great, Charles, and Anna Marie, thank you all.
Though sadly gone, he will never be forgotten…least of all, by me.
May 20, 2010 at 8:13 am
Gus,
What happened to you buddy? I have been looking for you for years man, turns out I was spelling you name wrong. We were best friend for about a year and a half 1984-85.
I would of been there with you in your quest to take over the metal world, But I was too scared to run away from home,and live the fast life with you. I know you tried to look me up, not knowing I had changed my name To Steve Peters.
I always wished you would of chosen me to start a band with. You were the most creative drummer I ever jammed with. I still have those recordings, I will be re-mastering all of it, in your honor.
I always knew in my heart that I would make it, and come back for you. I though that I if I wrote the most killer riffs, You would have to join, I tried to keep you with me, But I think you Let me go on purpose. You knew that, that wild life would kill me fast. Thank you for that.
I have been in my studio for all these years. Trying to craft the perfect album. while you were out doing the real things in life. What did it get me? I missed your greatness, I missed out.
I cry tonight for the loss of you almost 3 years after your death, I tell you it hurts the same. Like it just happened. I love you brother.
I feel your presence like I can’t explain, Together we will do something great. I Vow to make your legacy be known!
You are my Obi-wan now. Help me,
Steve Dutze
May 22, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Gus Lives!!! Gus has a new Memorial site.Wanna hear him jamming on his drums back in 1989? I posted rare recordings of him. Amazing! Come leave a comment,picture or story of the “Gus” we all loved so much. see ya there. Steve
http://www.myspace.com/augusttsanakas
December 30, 2011 at 8:19 am
Thats how I remember him…………….jamming on his drums!
December 30, 2011 at 8:22 am
Jamming in his basement on Campbell ave in Marquette park. I’m Blown away to know know he’s gone. I have such fond memories of him. RIP Brother I never forgot you my friend:(
September 3, 2015 at 2:39 am
Gus,
I cant believe you are gone brother ,like many others here ive been wondering where you were, what you been up too,me and you were great fieinds back when you lived in hanover park 20 plus years ago, I remember you had a gf I think her name was tracy gorgoues brunet I know u liked her a lot.
I rembeer you jamming the drums to slayer and siging the words like it was nothing I thought that was so awesome,you actualy inspired me to be a drummer and I still am to this day thanks for that,then you moved on and I did too I would run into you here and there at diferent metal shows you were always selling those dvds,but every time we would run into eachother it was such a great feeling you would be like dave buddy dam its been long time I still can here your voice now,i was just thinking maybe gus has a fb or something so I did some searching and found this very sad to here you are gone we truly were good friends you were a very unuiqe person and the character you had as person was one of the best ive ever seen I feel lucky that I had the chance to know you like I did peace out brother…..
August 22, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Ten years already, man we miss you Aug!
July 5, 2021 at 12:45 am
clementia
RIP, Auggy Doggy | oldgreedy.
August 21, 2021 at 9:12 pm
writing a good literature review for a dissertation
RIP, Auggy Doggy | oldgreedy.