Written by daughter,
Frances.
My
dad Antonio Loiacono was born on the 1st December 1933 to Giuseppe Loiacono and
Francesca Arceri, in a small village in southern Italy, called Bellantone,
which belongs to the municipality of Laureana di
Borrello in the province of Reggio
Calabria.
He
was one of 9 children. His siblings were
Francesco (dec), Concetta (dec), Caterina (dec), Pasquale (dec), Angela, Giuseppe
(dec), Geralda and Carmela.
As
was the norm in those days, he completed three years of schooling and then
assisted his father on their farm. There
were many stories about the brothers getting into trouble from their father
because of their mischievous ways. The boys would run away into the corn fields,
when they knew their father was angry with them, thereby destroying the
precious crops. I have a wonderful memory of my dad and his brother recounting
this story to us so many years later and watching them laugh so hard they had
tears in their eyes.
In
July 1951, not quite 18 years old, he left Italy on his own to travel to
Australia and join his brother Pasquale in search of a better life. He arrived in Melbourne on 8th August 1951 on
the Hellenic Prince which was a decommissioned Greek Warship.
He
lived with Pasquale in Brunswick and had a few different jobs; one was at Cadbury’s
Chocolate factory in Fitzroy, before he got an apprenticeship as a greengrocer
in Anderson Street,Yarraville. He was employed
by the Barbuto family. Dad moved in with
the family and became regarded as a family member, not just an employee. Dad learnt the trade and seven years later he
operated the fruit shop in Wembley Avenue, Spotswood with his brother
Pasquale. Two years later the brothers
bought “The Fruit Palace” in Vernon Street, South Kingsville. Eventually Pasquale managed Wembley Avenue and
Dad remained in Vernon Street from 1960 until he retired in November 1997. He was at Vernon Street for 37 years and was
a common sight either at the shop or while making deliveries in his 1960 red Dodge
truck.
It
became quite a family affair with the whole family working in the business. He
was quite proud of introducing the new concept in the late 1970’s, self
service. He had four t-shirts printed
for the family to wear. “Shop the modern way” was emblazoned on the front and
on the back “Pick your own and save”.
On
23rd November, 1963, after a three month courtship, he married
Concettina Galle. They settled in Spotswood,
(which is now known as Yarraville). They remained in the family home and
resisted their childrens plea to move closer to them.
They
were married for 47 years and it saddens me that on their 47th wedding
anniversary dad was no longer well enough to stay at home and was transferred
to palliative care.
On
8th December 1964, I was born, followed by a son, Joe on 9th
August 1966. On
17th November 1988 he became a grandfather for the first time, a
little boy called Daniel. Three
years later, Justin was welcomed into the family. In
1996, his only granddaughter, Connie was born and on Australia day in 2000 his
namesake, little Anthony Loiacono came into the world. He
loved his grandchildren dearly, and they all loved him. Dad and Mum spent a lot
of time with the grandchildren, and when Dad retired they would often take them
to “the Warmies” in Williamstown, spending hours and hours fishing. The grandchildren have fond memories of
walking and exploring the Williamstown area on warm summer days. He
loved playing cards, enjoyed watching AFL football and keenly followed horse
racing. Many
Saturday nights we could be found at Moonee Valley Racecourse, with our
relatives. He
also enjoyed the pokies and had a great passion for gardening and keeping his
house looking immaculate.
On
25th August 2005 he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He battled with this insidious disease for
over five years. He had such a positive
attitude even though he had so many setbacks. My brother and I are extremely
proud of our mum who was always by dads’ side, and devoted herself to caring
for him.
On
30th November, 2010 at 2.03am, with his loving family beside him, he
took his last breath. We
will miss him. Our lives will never be the same, we all have wonderful memories
that we will hold close to our heart forever.
Rest
in Peace Dad, we pray for you and will never forget you. We hope we will all
one day be reunited and be happy once more.
Your
family: devoted and loving wife Connie, daughter Frances, son Joe, son in law Maurice, daughter in
law Anna, grandchildren, Daniel, Justin, Connie and Anthony.
