Last Modified On: November 21, 2018
Melbourne pays tribute to ‘one of the greats’ Sisto Malaspina who was a victim of Bourke Street attack. The famous cafe owner served coffee, cake, and smiles to numerous people for more than 40 years.
Sisto Malaspina was someone who made ‘everybody feel special’ counting his customers. Thousands of Melburnians arrived at St Patrick’s Cathedral to bid their farewell.
Shocking, unreal and heartbreaking. I have been visiting Pellegrini’s since school. I just saw Sisto on Monday morning. He insisted I try a slice of his almond cake. He’s a Melbourne icon and a true gentleman. Impossible to imagine the devastation for his family and staff. https://t.co/CPziguJlpz
— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) November 10, 2018
The state funeral focused on his colorful life well lived. So, what actually happened to restauranteur Sisto Malaspina during Bourke Street attack? What was the cause of Sisto Malaspina’s death?
Sisto Malaspina Cause Of Death
With the cause of death being murder, Sisto Malaspina died during the 2018 Melbourne stabbing attack. Mourners left flowers and signed a tribute book to Malaspina.
Sisto Malaspina was a co-owner of the café called “Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar” alongside Nino Pangrazio. The cafe holds the title of “one of Melbourne’s most iconic destinations, in a city that prides itself on coffee and fine food.”
In 1974, Malaspina and Nino bought the cafe. Besides, the National Trust of Australia listed the cafe.
Why Was Sisto Malaspina Murdered?
Earlier this month, the assailant murdered Mr. Malaspina in a terror attack while he was on an afternoon break. The incident took place at about 400m (1,300 feet) away from his cafe.
The perpetrator stabbed two men along with Mr. Malaspina. The two men survived with some injuries whereas, the knife pierced Mr. Malaspina above his collarbone.
Police shot the attacker dead. It was right after the attacker Hassan Khalif Shire Ali, age 30, set fire to a utility vehicle and later on, he went on a knife rampage.
According to the eyewitnesses, it appeared that Sisto Malaspina walked over to the burning car with the intention of proving some assistance.
Sisto Malaspina married life, wife, children, and family
The cafe owner is survived by his wife Vicki, his two children- David and Lisa, and baby granddaughter Sofia.
Describing his father, Mr. Malaspina’s son said that he was a hard-working and a charismatic family man. He also said that his father loved all his customers like friends and worked for 14-15-hour days.
David said,
“Dad had the amazing ability to make everybody feel special,”
Indeed, Mr. Malaspina taught his children good manners, old-fashioned values, and to treat everyone equally. Moving on, David also said that his father and other migrants like him had been a great help to Melbourne, making it the best city in the world.
He disclosed,
“Our great country has been blessed with waves of migrants from all corners of the globe,”
“These people bring their dreams with them in search of a better life. Dad loved Melbourne with a passion, and was so proud to live in this unique and wonderful city.”
Sisto Malaspina Wiki Bio
The co-owner of “Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar” Sisto Malaspina was an Italian immigrant. He was born as the youngest of six children in a small town in Italy. His age was 74 when he died.
In the year 1963, he moved to Australia to start a new life. There he met his friend Nino Pangrazio with whom Mr. Malaspina took over the cafe. It was one of the first cafes to use the espresso machine in the city.
Daniel Andrews, Victorian Premier, narrated Mr. Malaspina as a
“remarkable Victorian, who brought love, life, color and flavor to our city”.
