Alberton’s business giant Dutchie passes on at 84
Alberton’s business legend, Dimitri Luscos, fondly known as Dutchie, has passed on following a short illness.
Dimitri Luscos, affectionately known as Dutchie, was a brilliant businessman, fantastic with figures, and a generous and godly man who never thought twice whenever someone needed something from him.
Prominently known as the original owner of the Squeeze-In SPAR, Dutchie may have passed on but his memory will live forever.
He passed away on February 7 at age 84, following a short illness. He leaves behind his children, grandchildren and a great-grandchild as well as his mother-in-law.
Adept entrepreneur
The late Dutchie was born in 1938 in Mozambique, with his family originally from the island of Lemnos in Greece.
Recalling nothing but fond memories of him, his son Jason Luscos described his father as a business giant who was strongly passionate about sport, a lover of cars and also loved travelling.
“He lived in Alberton his whole life. Business has forever run in his blood, and as a child, he worked in his father’s café. He owned about five supermarkets which he successfully ran, creating several job opportunities for the unemployed,” explained Jason.
His family moved to South Africa when he was about eight years old and he attended school in Benoni before moving to Alberton, where his father owned a café in Alberton North.
His family expanded the business and branched out to owning other supermarkets.
“In 2004, the late father of four opened Pick n Pay New Market and ran the business until he handed it over to the next owner. He was a legend; he was one of the founders of SPAR South Africa. He then left SPAR, wanted to retire and that didn’t work – a year later, he opened Pick n Pay,” he said.
In an exclusive interview, Jason said his father was accustomed to business from a tender age.
“He and his friend used to tell us that his father couldn’t speak English very well, and my father was the one that used to talk to the suppliers and reps. He was always working in the café. He also served in the Alberton council back in the day; he was also very involved with his church as he was a man of God,” he explained.
His family thanked all the doctors at Netcare Alberton Hospital for their unwavering support.
Dutchie’s memorial service is open to the public and will be held at Elohim Meyersdal Community Church on February 16 at 12:00.
