A Loving Memorial To Francesco Paolo Pelliccia

Francesco Paolo Pelliccia Husband, Father, Nonno, Bisnonno Never To Be Forgotten

Francesco Paolo Pelliccia was my father, who passed on Tuesday, the 2nd of January, 2024. This post is a tribute to a man who was always there for me. A man that I looked up to. And now that he is gone, it’s as if a part of me is missing.

My father loved to tell stories of his life. Now that he is gone, I wish I had paid more attention to those stories. What you are about to read is in Memoriam of a great man.

Francesco Paolo Pelliccia Origins

Francesco Paolo Pelliccia was born in Itri in the province of Latina on the 19th of April, 1931. He was the youngest of 10 siblings of Francesco Pelliccia and Annunciata De Simone. They were a poor family, and Francesco’s job was to look after the family’s flock of sheep. Something he did from a very young age. He didn’t enjoy looking after those sheep but had to do it for his family. For Francesco, family was everything.

Life was tough in those days, and being in the midst of World War Two certainly didn’t help things. But the very toughness of the situation shaped Francesco into the man he became. I remember one story (he would have been about ten or eleven) about the Grotta di San Vito. San Vito is a cave where many inhabitants would take refuge during the war. He mentioned that his nephew, Salvatore Dragonetti, was born in the Grotta. I can only imagine the hardships they all had to go through.

Francesco Pelliccia The Early Days

Young Francesco was always a bit of a lady’s man. One of his favourite stories occurred when he was about ten. He came across a group of young girls, his future wife among them, when one of the girls said, “Hey Francesco, do you have the guts to drop your pants? ” Before they could blink, young Francesco’s pants were around his ankles, and as Mum later added, they didn’t have underpants in those days. Elena, who later became his wife, was too embarrassed to look.

Although Francesco had many admirers, his heart longed for Elena but kept it to himself because he was so poor that he didn’t think he stood a chance, especially because Elena came from a well-to-do family.

One day, Francesco came across the opportunity to go to Australia and arrived at age 21. A young Francesco and many other immigrants found themselves in the Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre. Francesco and his immigrant companions faced more challenging times because no work was available, and they were promised work upon their arrival. They felt abandoned, and Francesco spoke about the 1952 riot in the camp due to work demands.

Francesco found a few small jobs in Adelaide, which included grape picking in Barmera. But when he heard there was work in the sugar cane farms in Queensland, he left immediately. The work was difficult, and he told us how his hands were full of blisters and blood. Francesco wrapped them in handkerchiefs and continued to work until callouses formed. He even told us of an old remedy to toughen his hands, which involved urinating on them. 

Francesco Pelliccia Queensland Sugar Cane Worker

Francesco became an extremely proficient sugar cane harvester, cutting tons of cane every week. People around town heard about how skilled he was in cane cutting, and one day, unbeknownst to Francesco, two new cane cutters began working on either side of him. They took off like a rocket, and Francesco thought, what the heck, and he took off after them. It wasn’t long before Francesco overtook them, leaving them behind. When they reached the end of the row, the other men angrily threw their tools down in amazement. After this, Francesco’s boss told him that the two men didn’t believe the story he related to folk in the pub of how good his new sugar cane cutter was. 

While in Queensland, Francesco received a letter from his sister Anna telling of hard times in Italy and asking if he could find something for her husband, Giuseppe. Francesco loved the idea of bringing family over. To do this, he was required to find a sponsor, and no one in his area would be responsible for sponsoring someone. And so he bought a bike to go from farm to farm in search of a sponsor. Finally, he found someone willing to sponsor Guiseppe, but on the condition that he work on his farm. Because this farmer’s crop was only a small one, Francesco knew he would be losing money, but he was more than ready to make sacrifices to be with his family. 

Francesco Ready To Settle In Australia

During this time, he received a Dear John letter from his betrothed, which upset him considerably. He tore the letter with her photo up, vowing to stay single. My father then told us that one day, Elena came to mind. He swears it was a revelation from the Almighty.

Now that he was earning more money, Dad felt he was in a position to start a life with Elena. But first, he needed to know if Elena was still available. He immediately wrote a letter to his best friend in Italy, Giovanni Picano, to ask about Elena. Giovanni was supposed to find out if she was still single and relay the information to my father. Instead, Giovanni approaches Elena and asks if she wants to marry Francesco. Elena always loved Francesco but said she needed to ask her brother Luigi for permission. Elena received her family’s blessing to marry Francesco. 

Not long after, she boarded the M.S. Aurelia to Australia, where she turned 21 during the voyage. Preparing for his Queen to arrive, Francesco purchased the best of everything for her new home. 

By this time, work had dried up in Queensland, and Dad had returned to Adelaide and bought a house with one of his paesanos. When Giuseppe arrived, Francesco provided him with free accommodation. Later, when he noticed Giuseppe was missing his family, Francesco also organised for his sister Anna and her children, Francesco and Teresa, to come to Australia.

Shortly after his bride, Elena, my mother, arrived in Melbourne, and my father was waiting for her to bring her to her new home at 51 Thomas St. Croydon.

Francesco and Elena started a beautiful life together. They started with two children. Antonio was born in 1957, then came Pietro in 1958. My brother and I spent our early days in Croydon. Dad, who worked at the GMH plant in Woodville, got transferred to Elizabeth. Soon after we moved to Elizabeth Grove so dad could be closer to work.

Dad walked to the Elizabeth Grove Primary on my first day of school, and I remember when he introduced me to Mrs. Tidman, my grade 3 primary school teacher. In his broken English, he said, “This is my son Peter, and don’t be afraid to smack him if he does something wrong.” I sure as hell wasn’t going to misbehave once I heard those words. And I knew that even if I did something and got into trouble, I should never complain to Dad because he would only smack me and tell me not to do that again.

Luckily, I learned from all the times my brother Tony got into trouble. I took note of the smacks he would get and why he got them and knew not to repeat his errors.

I remember on occasion, I think it was on a fishing outing at Outer Harbour, when a fish hook got caught in mum’s leg. Dad wanted to take Mum to the hospital but Mum would not have a bar of that because she said it was too embarrassing. So, with some finesse Dad managed to get the hook out but the next dilemma was what how to sterilise it. The solution was to get my brother Tony to piss on it. It looks like urine is akin to the Greeks Windex. 😎

Mum and Dad were happy with their two boys until, one day, he was visiting a friend who had a daughter with gorgeous curls. Dad immediately went home and told Mum they would have a beautiful girl. Sure enough, in 9 months, Annunciata was born in 1966.

Although Dad’s schooling was limited, he was passionate about learning new skills. Whether it was watching someone lay tiles, pavers, concreting, or painting, Dad would watch how they did it and then take on the task himself. It was a gift that Dad could pick up so many skills simply by watching others work.

Mum and Dad were a team. When my brother and I were too little to help, my mum was there ready to give a hand. No task was to much for here. Even when she was heavily pregnant with my brother she was right beside her devoted husband helping him tile the kitchen walls.

It was also crucial to Dad that he passed on those skills to his children. I have to admit that there were times when I wasn’t thrilled to be dragged away to help Dad and Tony, but I am so grateful that he did because he taught me everything I know.

Dad wasn’t only about family; he loved being with and helping his friends. He loved talking to anyone willing to listen and was always the life of the party.

Now that my father, Francesco Paolo Pelliccia, has left us, he has left all the pain and suffering behind. I believe he is in a better place, sharing stories with whoever will listen and making room for those who will follow. Now that you are gone Pops, there is a void that no-one can fill. Although you are gone, you will forever be in our hearts and minds guiding us so that your family will always grow for the better.

Francesco Paolo Pelliccia Laid To Rest

Today, January 17th 2024 Dad was finally laid to rest. The Funeral was held at the St. Augustine’s Church. The priest was Father Germano. The Funeral Directors were Blackwell Funerals Payneham and Ivana Beltrame was the lovely lady in charge who’s presence made the whole process of burying my father a lot less stressful.

Before the Mass started the Grandkids all got to do their bit in honour of their Nonno. Although I wrote the Eulogy my daughter Nadia edited it and rightly so as I may have been a bit crass, and then she and her cousin Elena read it to the congregation.

Eulogy To Francesco Paolo Pelliccia

Francesco Paolo Pelliccia was born in Itri in the province of Latina, Italy, on the 19th of April, 1931. His parents were Francesco and Annunciata Pelliccia and he was the youngest of 10 siblings. They were a poor family, and Francesco’s job was to look after the family’s flock of sheep, which he did from a very young age. He didn’t enjoy looking after the sheep but he did it for his family. For Francesco, family was everything.

Life was tough in those days, and being in the midst of World War Two certainly didn’t help things. It was those tough times that shaped Francesco into the man he became.

Francesco loved to tell stories of when he was a handsome young man. One of his favourite stories, because it included an interaction with the love of his life, occurred when he was about ten. He came across a group of young girls, his future wife among them, when one of the girls said, “Hey Francesco, do you have the guts to drop your pants? ” Before they could blink, young Francesco’s pants were around his ankles, and they didn’t have underpants in those days. Elena, who later became his wife, was too embarrassed to look.

Francesco always admired Elena but never said anything to her. She was from a well to do family and he didn’t think he could provide the life she deserved. So he made it his mission, he would marry her one day.

Francesco took an opportunity to travel to Australia and arrived at age 21. They had promised work, but there was none available which meant he and many other immigrants found themselves in a Migrant Reception and Training Centre. Francesco eventually found a few small jobs in Adelaide, but he quickly left when he heard there was work in the sugar cane farms in Queensland. The work was extremely difficult, causing his hands to be full of blisters and blood. Francesco wrapped them in handkerchiefs as well as other remedies to toughen his hands and continued to work.

Francesco was a proud man and loved to tell stories of how he became an extremely proficient sugar cane cutter, cutting tons of cane every week. People around town heard how skilled he was in cane cutting, and one day, unbeknownst to Francesco, two new cane cutters began working on either side of him. They took off like a rocket, and so Francesco took off after them. It wasn’t long before he overtook them, leaving them behind. When they reached the end of the row, the men threw their tools down in amazement.

While in Queensland, Francesco received a letter from his sister Anna, asking if he could find some work for her husband, Giuseppe. Francesco loved the idea of bringing family to Australia. He bought a bike to go from farm to farm in search of a sponsor. He finally found one that would sponsor Giuseppe, however it meant Franceso would be earning significantly less than his current wage. Francesco didn’t hesitate as he was more than willing to make sacrifices to be with his family.

Once he started earning more money, Francesco felt he was in a position to start a life with Elena. But first, he needed to know if Elena was still available, so he wrote a letter to his best friend in Italy, Giovanni Picano. Giovanni’s interpretation was to approach Elena and ask if she would like to marry Francesco. Elena always fancied Francesco and said she needed to ask her brother Luigi for permission. Elena received her family’s blessing to marry him. A beautiful love story some only see in movies.

Not long after, Elena boarded a ship to Australia, where she turned 21 during the voyage. Preparing for his Queen to arrive, Francesco purchased the best of everything for her new home in Adelaide.

Francesco and Elena started a wonderful life together. They had three children. Antonio was born in 1957, then came Pietro in 1958. They were happy with their two boys until, one day, he visited a friend who had a beautiful daughter with curly hair. Francesco immediately knew he wanted a daughter. The following day, he said to Elena, in 9 months, we’re going to have a little girl, and sure enough, Annunciata was born in 1966.

Although Francesco’s schooling was limited, he had a passion for learning new skills and became quite the handy man. From laying tiles to painting, he could pretty well do it all. He always encouraged his children and his grandchildren to work hard and enjoy life. He provided a great life for his family and shared a passion for us to do the same for our families. We’re so grateful for the man he was.

Now that Francesco has left us, he is in a better place, sharing stories with loved ones that he has missed dearly. We will miss his big hugs, his jokes and his laughter. Rest in peace now nonno, and know that we love you and you’re forever in our hearts.

Then came the Grandchildren’s Eulogy to Nonna read by Nikki.

Eulogy To Nonno

To our oldest friend, you enriched our lives with so much joy, wisdom, love and laughter. 

Our youngest years were filled with so many memories of playing bocce on the lawn, going for walks with your dogs Sam and Rosie, picking wild mushrooms at the local school oval and playing scorba and briscola while eating nonnas homemade taralli. The harmonica was always played during family gatherings and Nonno’s warm energy would always fill the room.  He was always the life of the party and forever young at heart. 

Our fondest memories will always be of Nonno sharing his life stories, which were always entertaining and favourably bias. Nonno was the best at a lot of things… 

• Like bocee, all of the women wanted to be on his team.
• He was always the most handsome young man in his paese, all of the ladies wanted to marry him.
• He was the fastest sugar cane cutter known to mankind,
• And the most skilled painter, shoe repairer, landscaper and wine maker we’d ever meet. 

Each story would have been told to us and our very own grandchildren hundreds of times. And every time he told that story, it would be like he was sharing it for the very first time. 

Stories were always shared over the lunch table with fresh fruit from the garden and piles of empty peanut and walnut shells. Nonno was always positioned at the head of the table and a healthy glass of homemade wine was always encouraged from a young age (a splash of lemonade made it ok). Nonno’s stories were also Nonna’s stories. They would always finish each other’s sentences or argue about who got to tell the next part. 

Nonno was a generous man, he helped so many people and only every wanted love and companionship in return. He was always passing on life lessons of respect, loyalty, hard work and kindness, the same life lessons that have shaped his family to be who they are today. 

Nonno loved being surrounded by people and was at his happiest when surrounded by his family. We were always welcomed with wide open arms, the brightest face and his tight embrace. For as long as we can remember, Nonno couldn’t see a thing, but that never stopped him from constantly reminding us all how beautiful we were. He always had so much love to give, we will miss his endless love and affection most of all. 

Nonno was a very proud man, but he was mostly proud of his family. He would always say, ‘I am a very rich man’. He really did understand the true purpose and meaning of life and we all feel so blessed to have shared that life with him. 

Nonno took the opportunity to take each of his young grandchildren for an exciting walk to view his new home. Much to our dismay, we arrive at a cemetery and stare at his empty stone hedge. He had such a cheeky sense of humour. He told us to make sure we bring him a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs when he dies. Thank you for making the idea of your passing light-hearted Nonno, we will try and not mourn you, but celebrate the wonderful man you were. 

This is not a goodbye, but a thank you. Thank you Nonno for playing a big part of our lives, for shaping us into the people we are today, for loving us, letting us love you, and for all the laughs and memories that are etched within our hearts. You were something wonderful and will be forever missed. 

Tommaso’s Poem

My son Frank then did the first reading followed followed by the rest of the mass.

FIRST READING  

A Reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans

The life and death of each of us

has its influence on others;

if we live, we live for the Lord;

and if we die, we die for the Lord,

so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord.

  The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

As they were placing Dad in the Hearse a bunch of Kookaburras burst out into song and again as the Hearse drove away. It was as if they were singing a tribute to a great man. As we walked behind the Hearse to the cemetery, my mother’s request, the Kookaburras were once again silent.

My Father was always willing to help his family, friends and anyone that needed him for whatever reason. The Gospel that Father Germano read to the congregation was perfect for my Father Francesco Pelliccia. And the Father read it first in Italian and then in English so everyone could grasp the importance of the verse.

It’s Late and I am tired but I am posting this now and I wanted to make it live in honour of Francesco Paolo Pelliccia, a Husband, Father, Grandfather and great Grandfather that we all loved.

I will be adding things to it as it comes to me.