Sisto Malaspina to be honoured with memorial plaque, table in Bourke St
Rachel EddieNovember 7, 2019 — 8.26am
Pellegrini’s regulars will keep dining with Sisto Malaspina when an outdoor table and memorial plaque to the eatery’s beloved former co-owner are unveiled next year.
The City of Melbourne designed the plaque and table to acknowledge the 74-year-old’s contribution to the city before he was stabbed to death by a terrorist last November.
Saturday marks one year since Mr Malaspina’s death.
Sisto, with his trademark cravat and smile, in Pellegrini’s in 2010.Joe Armao
Mr Malaspina’s portrait will be etched onto the memorial table, to be erected in Bourke Street, alongside an acknowledgement that “Sisto loved Melbourne - and Melbourne loved him back”.
His son David Malaspina negotiated with Pellegrini’s co-owner Nino Pangrazio to buy his share of the cafe after he retired a week ago.
“I look forward to looking out of the window of Pelligrini’s and watching people learn about Dad while enjoying a coffee at his table,” David said.
A plaque for Pellegrini’s co-owner Sisto Malaspina.City of Melbourne
“Our family is delighted and very proud that Dad’s life will be celebrated with a beautiful artwork that is also very practical. Dad loved nothing more than to sit and have a coffee with our customers, many of whom became life-long friends.”
The tribute - with portrait by Melbourne illustrator Oslo Davis - was announced on Thursday after the council abandoned the idea to rename the laneway that corners Pellegrini’s in his honour.
“We met with Sisto’s family to discuss the best way to remember his contribution to Melbourne, and it became clear that creating a space outside Pellegrini’s where people can sit and reflect would be a fitting tribute to his famous sense of hospitality,” Mlebourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said.
“Sisto used to sit, chat to people and watch the world go by out the front of his cafe, and we hope Melburnians will take the time to do the same in his memory.”
Mr Malaspina was walking down Bourke Street to buy chocolates to celebrate the birth of his grandchild when he saw a burning car near Swanston Street and went over to help.
He was stabbed and died at the scene from blood loss, as his attacker was shot down by police.
The memorial plaque and table will be fitted outside the cafe.City of Melbourne
“The outpouring of grief that followed Sisto Malaspina’s death during a terror-related incident in Bourke Street would have surprised Sisto more than anyone else. Yet the response made sense: Sisto loved Melbourne - and Melbourne loved him back,” the plaque says.
"Sisto was a local icon. Co-owner of Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar since 1974, he served his customers daily with style, humour and great coffee. His signature blend included a neckerchief and loud yet strangely tasteful shirts, teamed with a winning smile and a gift for remembering both the famous and the not-so-famous.
Melbourne covered the cafe with flowers in the days after the 74-year-old’s death.Eddie Jim
“On his last day, 9 November 2018, Sisto was off to buy chocolates for staff to celebrate the birth of his third grandchild. His love lives on.”
Mr Malaspina migrated to Australia from Italy in the 1960s and bought Pellegrini’s with Mr Pangrazio in 1974. Its success was intertwined with his generosity and personality.
“Sisto was central to the wonderful experience of visiting Pellegrini’s, so it’s fitting that his welcoming smile will become a permanent feature in our city,” Ms Capp said.
“Many locals and visitors will remember their own connection to Sisto and Pellegrini’s at the memorial table.”
