The iconic server at the iconic Pellegrini's Espresso Bar served the last espresso.
“I love Pellegrini's because I love my customers,” Rocco told CBD News. “I love this place, my beautiful workplace, my beautiful bosses. They have taken very good care of me.”
Rocco recently received an award from the City of Melbourne for his 50 years of service to the community. It seems that he cherishes it by displaying it in his room.
“I can look at it all day and all night…it was the best present.”
“I work there six days a week, day and night, day and night,” he said. “And my bosses, especially Sisto, have been good to me. He's No. 1. He sent me to school, so he said, 'Go to school and learn a little English.' I said.”
In an interview with CBD News, Rocco said he planned to go to the city the next day to meet his boss, David Malaspina. He said he is enjoying his first few days of retirement gardening and plans to vacation at the beach in Rosebud.
Next year, he hopes to visit and spend time in Puglia, the village where he grew up. He immigrated alone from Italy at the age of 20 in search of work.
One of Rocco's favorite parts of her job was telling her customers their stories. He recalls meeting customers over the years, including politicians, soccer players, singers and Pellegrini regulars.
At a party last Friday night, Pellegrini staff and customers came together to celebrate the warmth and heart that Rocco has brought to this local establishment.
“I told my boss, if you need me, if you need anything, if you want to take a week, two weeks, a month off, let me know and I'll help you,” he said. Said.
“When I go there, I feel like I’m at home.” •
