Hancock County Community Development Foundation honors Tony Trapani with Heritage Star

Hancock County Community Development Foundation awarded a Heritage Star, this time to the late Tony Trapani.

Trapani is best known along the Coast as the owner of the well-known Bay St. Louis restaurant Trapani’s Eatery before passing away in 2022.

Guests from all over the Coast who knew Trapani attended this ceremony where his children Anthony and Grace Trapani unveiled a replica of his star to the crowd.

On the star was Tony Trapani’s name as well as the words ‘father, angler, chef, and artist,’ which are the four words his children chose to represent him on the star.

Anthony and Grace say that they are amazed to see the impact their father had on so many people along the Coast.  “Having the star and this whole celebration for him is really special for us.”

“He’s a Bay St. Louis legend, I mean everyone loves him and I mean he makes everybody laugh and it’s awesome. We love him so much. We miss him a lot.”

Business Partner Jolynne Trapani said, “There are so many people that I look around and that were here thirty years ago with us, and to see everyone still here and supporting us as a community, it’s very heartwarming.”

The real star will be installed on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant at a later date.