One of the most popular songs of 1942 was “Jukebox Saturday Night,” as performed by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, vocalized by Marion Hutton and the Modernaires.
Teenagers across the country danced to Al Stillman’s lyrics:
Moppin’ up soda pop rickies
To our hearts’ delight,
Dancing to a swingeroo quickie,
Jukebox Saturday night…
One of those teenagers was Floyd Tillotson who lived in Liverpool where he worked at Heid’s.
Ever resourceful and quick-witted, Floyd made a game of his tasks selling hot dogs and cold drinks to the long lines of customers. He memorized the names of each and every soft drink for sale at the landmark drive-in eatery.
There was Boylan’s and Barq’s, Hire’s root beer and birch beer, Shasta and Seven-Up, Moxie and Mission, Nesbitt’s and Nehi.
Not only did Floyd commit all the beverages to memory, he continued to recite the alphabetical list to family and friends for his entire life. Tillotson died July 11, at his daughter’s home in Brownsville, Kentucky. He was 87.
Memorial service Friday
Floyd rose from his humble origin as grillman at Heid’s to establish a successful heating and air conditioning business called G&T Supply located on Salina Street in the village. Before long, he entered public service and was eventually elected mayor of Liverpool in 1977.
A memorial service for the late Floyd Tillotson will take place on Friday, Aug. 24, at Maurer Funeral Home at the corner of Tulip and Second streets. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. and will be concluded by a brief service at 6 p.m.
Menu memorization was only one of Floyd’s creative pursuits. Here’s something else you might not have known about the mayor who served here from 1977 to 1981: He was a talented stained-glass craftsman and he created a series of small replicas of village landmarks such as the Gleason Mansion.
His daughter-in-law — Sue Tillotson, the wife of Floyd’s son, Dave — hopes to have some of these stained-glass works on view at Friday’s memorial service.
While he worked at Heid’s during the early days of World War II, Floyd met Kathleen Senke. Her offbeat sense of humor must have appealed to him because they fell in love, married and — after serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a fighter pilot — had three children, Dave, who lives in Liverpool, and Ron and Donna, who both live in the Bluegrass State.
In the late 1960s, Floyd put plenty of time and effort into his hometown. He oversaw the village cemetery, was elected as a village trustee and served as police commissioner before becoming mayor.
Passion for public service
During his time at the village hall, Floyd coordinated the planning of Liverpool’s sesquicentennial events such as the extravaganza at Le Moyne Manor, the village parade and the burying of the time capsule to be opened at our bicentennial celebration later this century. He was instrumental in the redevelopment of Johnson Park and design of the amphitheater where concerts continue to be staged every summer.
Sue remembers her father-in-law’s passion for public service.
“I had the pleasure to witness his enthusiasm during this time, and his efforts brought a tremendous sense of community to our residents, a sense of community that prevails today,” Sue said. “It was a great turning point for our community!”
When he left office in the early 1980s, Floyd had made his mark on his beloved Liverpool.
“Floyd left politics feeling proud, knowing that our village was a great place to live,” Sue said, “but first and foremost the center of his life was his family and his willingness to always lend a hand.”
appeTaizing now open!
Promising to “add some zing into your day,” appeThaizing opened its doors on Monday, Aug. 13, at 105 First St., the former site of busy bistros such as Foster’s and Tutor’s.
Most appeThaizing entrees — such as golden noodles, red curry and gai yang marinated chicken – cost between $9.99 and $14.99, but diners can splurge on chef’s specials such as roasted duck with maple and spices for $21.
Promising a “harmony of tastes,” appeThaizing serves dinner through 9 p.m. weekends and 8:30 p.m. weekdays; appethaizing.com; 453-5500.
