Stories Page 1 – Ice Cream Topics
L..E. Prittchit & Co. Trade Journal
Ice Cream Topics
Published by L..E. Prittchit & Co. manufacturer and supplied of a range of ingredients to the Ice cream trade. As most of their customers were Italian indipendent traders with whom their reps had regular contacts, they also regularily published stories about the lives and buisness of their customers. These stories were collated and edited by Achille Pompa, a journalist active in the Ice Cream industry (who was originally from Picinisco), in conjunction with the family concerned.
The stories below are from my father’s (Giacinto De Marco) collection concerning the De Marco family and their close relations in the trade.
Published by L..E. Prittchit & Co. manufacturer and supplied of a range of ingredients to the Ice cream trade. As most of their customers were Italian indipendent traders with whom their reps had regular contacts, they also regularily published stories about the lives and buisness of their customers. These stories were collated and edited by Achille Pompa, a journalist active in the Ice Cream industry (who was originally from Picinisco), in conjunction with the family concerned.
The stories below are from my father’s (Giacinto De Marco) collection concerning the De Marco family and their close relations in the trade.
Lorenzo (Lawrence) Dimarco
Ice Cream Topics October 1957
Before leaving Hastings and its happy memories, we managed to look in at Dimarco Brothers’ enlarged establishment in Wellington Place, famous for being the first “open front” ice cream shop on the South Coast.
It was the founder, Lawrence Dimarco, who, many years ago, got tired of seeing crowds passing by to go to the sea, just round the corner, unable to get ice cream because of his small shop was packed. Why not put a fridge by the window, open it and serve more customers? No sooner thought than done, and that window paid for itself at lightning speed.
Of course, there was another attraction. Dimarcos’ ice cream was the first Scottish Italian ice cream ever introduced to the South Coast, and it created a furore. It has been published elsewhere that many a time, Londoners would actually make the trip to Hastings principally to enjoy that smooth and delicious ice cream: the sea and the sun were ancillary attractions.
And if this is not a tribute we fail to see what is. Even nowadays, when that type of ice cream is at long last available in London and many other towns, Dimarco’s is still mentioned. It gained the Silver Cup in I937,
During the Hastings Conference, Lawrence indulged in an attack of Asiatic ‘flu, and was not available to visitors. (You can’t stop his jokes: he said that he’d never been to Asia and didn’t see why he should be under its influence). So Michael and the rest of the family did the honours, saw to the busy establishment with its ultra-modern kitchen and perfect catering, and kept calling at the Conference headquarters to help in all sorts of ways
Ice Cream Topics October 1957
Before leaving Hastings and its happy memories, we managed to look in at Dimarco Brothers’ enlarged establishment in Wellington Place, famous for being the first “open front” ice cream shop on the South Coast.
It was the founder, Lawrence Dimarco, who, many years ago, got tired of seeing crowds passing by to go to the sea, just round the corner, unable to get ice cream because of his small shop was packed. Why not put a fridge by the window, open it and serve more customers? No sooner thought than done, and that window paid for itself at lightning speed.
Of course, there was another attraction. Dimarcos’ ice cream was the first Scottish Italian ice cream ever introduced to the South Coast, and it created a furore. It has been published elsewhere that many a time, Londoners would actually make the trip to Hastings principally to enjoy that smooth and delicious ice cream: the sea and the sun were ancillary attractions.
And if this is not a tribute we fail to see what is. Even nowadays, when that type of ice cream is at long last available in London and many other towns, Dimarco’s is still mentioned. It gained the Silver Cup in I937,
During the Hastings Conference, Lawrence indulged in an attack of Asiatic ‘flu, and was not available to visitors. (You can’t stop his jokes: he said that he’d never been to Asia and didn’t see why he should be under its influence). So Michael and the rest of the family did the honours, saw to the busy establishment with its ultra-modern kitchen and perfect catering, and kept calling at the Conference headquarters to help in all sorts of ways
Eugenio De Marco
Ice Cream Topics Spring 1960
It is with deep regret that we learn of the death of quiet gentle Eugenio De Marco of 6, 7 and 8 Pelham Arcade, Hastings, after a long illness at the age of 72. He had been a widower for seven years, and leaves two sons and four daughters.
He was trading in Dover when we first met him. He had already been in trade in Eastbourne and in Glasgow. He was unusually efficient, enthusiastic and attentive in business, and could have boasted, had he been of a less retiring disposition, of never having lost or even annoyed a customer.
In 1932 he left Dover for Hastings, where the Pelham Arcade gave him more scope for his activities. He started with a small shop and ended with a triple establishment, thanks to his outstanding qualities and those of his family.
He was a popular member of the local branch of the local British Legion and several bowling clubs. Bowls was his only sport and hobby, and the local newspaper, reporting his career and imposing funeral, stated that he had won a number of trophies, including the Sir Francis Drake.
The R. C. Church of St. Mary star of the Sea was packed for the requiem mass preceding the interment at the Borough Cemetery. At both ceremonies, the Rector Rev. P. Canning, officiated.
The numbers of mourners was unusually large, as was that of the beautiful wreaths and floral tributes from organisations, as well as private individuals. This was a severe loss and all Hastings seemed to mourn it.
Our condolences go to his children and to his immediate relations : his brother Agostino, who only recently retired from his Hove and Brighton establishments (he was previously in Eastbourne, where Eugenio assisted him); his cousin Lawrence, of Wellington Place, Hastings, and his two sons Michael and Serafino, and many other well known members of our trade, such as the Capaldis, Difelices, Margiottas, Jaconelli, Massarellas, Grillis, Pias, Fortes, Di Lietos, Rossis, etc.
Ice Cream Topics Spring 1960
It is with deep regret that we learn of the death of quiet gentle Eugenio De Marco of 6, 7 and 8 Pelham Arcade, Hastings, after a long illness at the age of 72. He had been a widower for seven years, and leaves two sons and four daughters.
He was trading in Dover when we first met him. He had already been in trade in Eastbourne and in Glasgow. He was unusually efficient, enthusiastic and attentive in business, and could have boasted, had he been of a less retiring disposition, of never having lost or even annoyed a customer.
In 1932 he left Dover for Hastings, where the Pelham Arcade gave him more scope for his activities. He started with a small shop and ended with a triple establishment, thanks to his outstanding qualities and those of his family.
He was a popular member of the local branch of the local British Legion and several bowling clubs. Bowls was his only sport and hobby, and the local newspaper, reporting his career and imposing funeral, stated that he had won a number of trophies, including the Sir Francis Drake.
The R. C. Church of St. Mary star of the Sea was packed for the requiem mass preceding the interment at the Borough Cemetery. At both ceremonies, the Rector Rev. P. Canning, officiated.
The numbers of mourners was unusually large, as was that of the beautiful wreaths and floral tributes from organisations, as well as private individuals. This was a severe loss and all Hastings seemed to mourn it.
Our condolences go to his children and to his immediate relations : his brother Agostino, who only recently retired from his Hove and Brighton establishments (he was previously in Eastbourne, where Eugenio assisted him); his cousin Lawrence, of Wellington Place, Hastings, and his two sons Michael and Serafino, and many other well known members of our trade, such as the Capaldis, Difelices, Margiottas, Jaconelli, Massarellas, Grillis, Pias, Fortes, Di Lietos, Rossis, etc.
Popular G. De Marco of Brighton
Friends of Mr. G. De Marco, of York Place, Brighton, will be pleased to hear that following two serious operations at Brighton General Hospital, he is now well on the road to recovery. On the 1st October he was rushed to hospital and received emergency treatment and was a patient for two weeks. After only three weeks at home a further operation became necessary and Mr. De Marco was once again a patient. He is now home and taking it quietly on doctors orders and looking very well indeed. His only complaint was the fact that the doctor had ordered a strict diet for six months!
Friends of Mr. G. De Marco, of York Place, Brighton, will be pleased to hear that following two serious operations at Brighton General Hospital, he is now well on the road to recovery. On the 1st October he was rushed to hospital and received emergency treatment and was a patient for two weeks. After only three weeks at home a further operation became necessary and Mr. De Marco was once again a patient. He is now home and taking it quietly on doctors orders and looking very well indeed. His only complaint was the fact that the doctor had ordered a strict diet for six months!
Domonic & Pasqua Pia
The last occasion we published an article on Dom Pia was about seven years ago, when we announced the opening of his new shop in Seaside Road’ Eastbourne. The shop was taken over after approx. two years by Mr. Colombetti from South Wales, and after a long search for a suitable site, Mr. Pia opened a further shop in Lower Stone Street, Maidstone, Kent.
Situated in one of the busiest thoroughfares in Maidstone. Cinema, Bus Station, Offices, etc. are all on hand – it soon became evident that the seating accommodation, about 65, was totally insufficient to meet the demand, and two years ago Mr. Pia was successful in obtaining the adjoining premises. The effect was to double the existing seating accommodation, but even with this increase, there are times When people are queuing for seats and it would appear that afurther extension, if possible, would be more than iustied.
A staunch user of ‘COMELLE’ over the years, winner of the Bronze Medal and many Diplomas of Merit, Dom has developed an Ice Cream Trade which is well above average for an inland town, and sundaes, etc. are a must with many ofthe local people. A feature of one window is a very large illuminated display case of sundea dishes, designed—very successfully, to tempt the passing trade.
Assisted in the business by Mrs. Pia, and eldest son Tony, Dom Pia is now as popular a figure in Maidstone as he was in Eastbourne, and one can say no more than that!
We wish the Pia family continued success
The last occasion we published an article on Dom Pia was about seven years ago, when we announced the opening of his new shop in Seaside Road’ Eastbourne. The shop was taken over after approx. two years by Mr. Colombetti from South Wales, and after a long search for a suitable site, Mr. Pia opened a further shop in Lower Stone Street, Maidstone, Kent.
Situated in one of the busiest thoroughfares in Maidstone. Cinema, Bus Station, Offices, etc. are all on hand – it soon became evident that the seating accommodation, about 65, was totally insufficient to meet the demand, and two years ago Mr. Pia was successful in obtaining the adjoining premises. The effect was to double the existing seating accommodation, but even with this increase, there are times When people are queuing for seats and it would appear that afurther extension, if possible, would be more than iustied.
A staunch user of ‘COMELLE’ over the years, winner of the Bronze Medal and many Diplomas of Merit, Dom has developed an Ice Cream Trade which is well above average for an inland town, and sundaes, etc. are a must with many ofthe local people. A feature of one window is a very large illuminated display case of sundea dishes, designed—very successfully, to tempt the passing trade.
Assisted in the business by Mrs. Pia, and eldest son Tony, Dom Pia is now as popular a figure in Maidstone as he was in Eastbourne, and one can say no more than that!
We wish the Pia family continued success
Lorenzo Dimarco
THE GOLDEN – HEARTED PIONEER.
Our trade’s heaviest losses, through deaths, are considered to have been the three Cavalieri (Knights of the Order of Savoy) Gennaro d’Ambrosio, head of the Refreshment Traders’ Association, and several other organisations, in Glasgow ; Domenico Antonelli, of the International Biscuit Co., of Manchester, and Mark Tony, of Newcastle-on- Tyne; Antonio Valvona, of Manchester, who first pioneered ice biscuits in this country and saved the ‘barrow trade’ from extinction ; Giovanni d’Agostino, of Edinburgh, still considered the one genius produced by our trade ; Biagio (‘]immy) Coia, of Spennymoor, a human dynamo in trade association work ; James Pablo, of Blackpool, who, from road sweeper and circus artist, ended with sales of ls. cones from a battery of large Vogt freezers ; Peter Pelosi, of Paignton, whose 50 years of success and charity were crowned with the largest funeral ever witnessed there ; Mr. Cecil Rodd, of T. Wall & Sons (Ice Cream) Ltd. who pioneered ice cream tricycles and ended with one of the very largest ice cream factory groups in the whole world and Antonio Forte, of Bonnyrigg, Weston-super-Mare and Bristol fame.
And now, charming, golden-hearted Lorenzo Dimarco, of Hasings has joined that elite assembly, not inferior in any way to any of them. He died 16th January of this year, after a long illness, at, the age of 75, The whole town enquired after his health, for he had ‘traded there for 57 years, soon becoming a highly respected figure. Quiet and unassuming, working hard but happily, and extremely charitable to all and sundry, he progressed from his first shop in Pelham Arcade to a larger one in Queen’s Road and then, in 1920, to the largest and best of all, in Wellington Place, near the sea front, which was destined to make trade history. It was here, in fact, that he perfected his recipe for the semi-hard Scottish-Italian ice cream first tried out while he was trading in Eastbourne up to 1905 ; it was here that he invented and introduced the multi-size wafer mould, or holder, which saved having to use half a dozen moulds of different sizes, and was a real boon during rush hours. saving much time and being far more hygienic ; and it was in Welling- ton Place that he installed a large freezer—storer near his window, opened this and served delicious ice cream to customers queueing on the pavement, who formerly passed the busy shop on their way to the sea front, or railway station, or bus stops, and went without ice cream.
Who can now count the number of shops that make and sell that type of ice cream, sell it through open windows and use the multi size wafer moulds? This one man started it all, for the benefit of all I He was one of the first members, in 1918, of the London and South of England Ice Cream Manufacturers’ Association and remained faithful to it until it was wound up in 1936. He later became a member of Mr. O’Neill’s Association and then of the Alliance, paid regularly and always persuaded others to join or renew. When the annual competitions were started he sent in his sample and continued to do this year after year, gaining Diplomas of Merit six years running, z’.e., from 1932 to 1937, the Gold Medal in 1934, the Silver Cup (1st Prize) in 1937, and so on. The ice cream he gave away on the last two occasions I He just liked to see his customers sharing his happiness.
THE GOLDEN – HEARTED PIONEER.
Our trade’s heaviest losses, through deaths, are considered to have been the three Cavalieri (Knights of the Order of Savoy) Gennaro d’Ambrosio, head of the Refreshment Traders’ Association, and several other organisations, in Glasgow ; Domenico Antonelli, of the International Biscuit Co., of Manchester, and Mark Tony, of Newcastle-on- Tyne; Antonio Valvona, of Manchester, who first pioneered ice biscuits in this country and saved the ‘barrow trade’ from extinction ; Giovanni d’Agostino, of Edinburgh, still considered the one genius produced by our trade ; Biagio (‘]immy) Coia, of Spennymoor, a human dynamo in trade association work ; James Pablo, of Blackpool, who, from road sweeper and circus artist, ended with sales of ls. cones from a battery of large Vogt freezers ; Peter Pelosi, of Paignton, whose 50 years of success and charity were crowned with the largest funeral ever witnessed there ; Mr. Cecil Rodd, of T. Wall & Sons (Ice Cream) Ltd. who pioneered ice cream tricycles and ended with one of the very largest ice cream factory groups in the whole world and Antonio Forte, of Bonnyrigg, Weston-super-Mare and Bristol fame.
And now, charming, golden-hearted Lorenzo Dimarco, of Hasings has joined that elite assembly, not inferior in any way to any of them. He died 16th January of this year, after a long illness, at, the age of 75, The whole town enquired after his health, for he had ‘traded there for 57 years, soon becoming a highly respected figure. Quiet and unassuming, working hard but happily, and extremely charitable to all and sundry, he progressed from his first shop in Pelham Arcade to a larger one in Queen’s Road and then, in 1920, to the largest and best of all, in Wellington Place, near the sea front, which was destined to make trade history. It was here, in fact, that he perfected his recipe for the semi-hard Scottish-Italian ice cream first tried out while he was trading in Eastbourne up to 1905 ; it was here that he invented and introduced the multi-size wafer mould, or holder, which saved having to use half a dozen moulds of different sizes, and was a real boon during rush hours. saving much time and being far more hygienic ; and it was in Welling- ton Place that he installed a large freezer—storer near his window, opened this and served delicious ice cream to customers queueing on the pavement, who formerly passed the busy shop on their way to the sea front, or railway station, or bus stops, and went without ice cream.
Who can now count the number of shops that make and sell that type of ice cream, sell it through open windows and use the multi size wafer moulds? This one man started it all, for the benefit of all I He was one of the first members, in 1918, of the London and South of England Ice Cream Manufacturers’ Association and remained faithful to it until it was wound up in 1936. He later became a member of Mr. O’Neill’s Association and then of the Alliance, paid regularly and always persuaded others to join or renew. When the annual competitions were started he sent in his sample and continued to do this year after year, gaining Diplomas of Merit six years running, z’.e., from 1932 to 1937, the Gold Medal in 1934, the Silver Cup (1st Prize) in 1937, and so on. The ice cream he gave away on the last two occasions I He just liked to see his customers sharing his happiness.
Agostino De Marco – In Memorium.
In Hastings and Hove there was for many, many years, a trinity of gentle, kind-hearted, charitable and progressive traders who were next to worshipped by all who knew them: Eugenio Demarco, Lorenzo Dimarco and Eugenio’s brother Agostino. Within the last three years, they have left us for a better world, leaving us all with golden memories of their hearts, and of their enterprise in our trade. We are under a debt of gratitude, and thanks, to them, and not for merely a day or a year! Agostino died at the age of 80, after a very long illness in Italy and then over here, at the last of the shops he opened, No.19 George Street, Hove, Sussex, on the 26th February last. He first traded well before the first World War, as a high-class confectioner and ice cream caterer in Snarsgate Street, Dover, then moved to Pelham Arcade, Hastings. Later, he opened shops, each one better than before, in Kensington Gardens, St. James’s Street and York Place, Brighten, specialising in rich Italian ice cream of the soft type so popular in Scotland, fruit sundaes and sodas. He had one hobby: photography. For over 50 years he specialised in taking photographs of relations, friends, shops, and houses and scenes in and around his native Picinisco, in S. Italy. He was one of the first to take up colour photography. And his one delight was to entertain relations and friends to a private cinema show, as he called it, throwing on a large screen enlargements of the scenes dear to them all. His very imposing funeral, on Monday, 2nd March, took place after a requiem mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Norton Road. Relatives and friends came from many towns on the South Coast and as far away as Scotland. Floral tributes were numerous and beautifully imposing. He leaves a widow, Maria Civita, and two sons, Giacinto (George) and Gerardo (Gerry). And we thus say Farewell to one of the most charming traders we have ever known, more than proud to have known him.
In Hastings and Hove there was for many, many years, a trinity of gentle, kind-hearted, charitable and progressive traders who were next to worshipped by all who knew them: Eugenio Demarco, Lorenzo Dimarco and Eugenio’s brother Agostino. Within the last three years, they have left us for a better world, leaving us all with golden memories of their hearts, and of their enterprise in our trade. We are under a debt of gratitude, and thanks, to them, and not for merely a day or a year! Agostino died at the age of 80, after a very long illness in Italy and then over here, at the last of the shops he opened, No.19 George Street, Hove, Sussex, on the 26th February last. He first traded well before the first World War, as a high-class confectioner and ice cream caterer in Snarsgate Street, Dover, then moved to Pelham Arcade, Hastings. Later, he opened shops, each one better than before, in Kensington Gardens, St. James’s Street and York Place, Brighten, specialising in rich Italian ice cream of the soft type so popular in Scotland, fruit sundaes and sodas. He had one hobby: photography. For over 50 years he specialised in taking photographs of relations, friends, shops, and houses and scenes in and around his native Picinisco, in S. Italy. He was one of the first to take up colour photography. And his one delight was to entertain relations and friends to a private cinema show, as he called it, throwing on a large screen enlargements of the scenes dear to them all. His very imposing funeral, on Monday, 2nd March, took place after a requiem mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Norton Road. Relatives and friends came from many towns on the South Coast and as far away as Scotland. Floral tributes were numerous and beautifully imposing. He leaves a widow, Maria Civita, and two sons, Giacinto (George) and Gerardo (Gerry). And we thus say Farewell to one of the most charming traders we have ever known, more than proud to have known him.
Dom Pia passes away at 54
Ice Cream Topics Summer 1965
If ever a trader was generally mourned it was Dom Pia, of Maidstone, who died at the end of last May, only 54 years old, especially as he had recovered from a few weeks of illness and seemed his old self again, always bright and cheerful and eager to make family, friends and all others happy. The untimely end came quite suddenly and was a shock to all. It was due to coronary thrombosis. This cheerful soul was born in Prestonpans, Scotland, from Loreto and Gaetana, nee’ Crolla, who hailed from Picinisco. He married Pasqua Crolla and had two sons : Tony, 29 years old, who married Diane Fabrizi, of Maidstone, last year (report and photograph appeared in this journal), and Peter, who is 17. His first shop in the South of England was at Shoreham; he then opened two shops at Eastbourne and then transferred himself to Maidstone, where he opened and ran a remarkably attractive ice cream parlour, etc., which soon had to be enlarged. Wherever he went he became extremely popular and highly successful, for the highest possible quality of goods and courtesy to all customers were his two business gods. Six years ago he won a Bronze Medal in the competitions . A few months ago he sold his Maidstone shop and was planning to spend a month or two in Italy on a holiday and then open afresh in Maidstone, but his intended stay with the De Marco family in Picinisco never matured. His funeral was very imposing indeed, and the wreaths – there were over 80 of these – were large and costly testimonies to the high esteem in which he was held. Members of the following families (in many cases the surnames are duplicated and even triplicated) were present: Faccenda, D’Ambrosio, Crolla, Di Ciacca, De Marco, Capaldi, Alonzi, Dimarco, Fabris, Cascarini, Margiotta, Gargari, Macari, Pelosi, Colombotti, Conte, Fusciardi, Morelli, Caira, Gizzi, Sasso, Di Paolo, Pedro, Nevi, Valente, Pugliesi, Pirozzolo, Di Vito, Pompa (Joseph) Nardoni, Zita, Lawrence, Tye, Beale, Wood, Sunnocks, Sothern, Birch, Niblett, etc.
His widow’s cousin, George De Marco, of 11 York Place, Brighton, well known in Alliance circles, and one of the many who have written eulogies on Dom, ends with ” I shall miss him very much indeed: he was great fun in any company.” In very few years our South of England traders have had to say goodbye to three exceptionally esteemed colleagues: Eugenio and Agostino De Marco and Lorenzo Dimarco. And now death has robbed us of charming Dom Pia, who had all the good qualities the other three had. R.I.P.
The Widows Thanks
We are taking the unusual step of publishing a copy of the letter Mrs. P. Pia, widow of dear Dom, sent to Pritchitt’s Sales and Export Manager, Mr. J. E. Ogden, of Bognor, who had known Tony for many years, and whose letter to the bereaved family remains an exceptional example of regrets and sincerity.
27 Square Hill Road,
Maidstone, Kent
Dear Mr. Ogden,
9th June, 1965.
My sons and I should like to thank you and Pritchitt & Co. for your very kind thoughts and beautiful flowers on the death of my husband. I knew that you and Dom were always very good friends and he so much looked forward to your visits and “gossip,” as you so aptly put it. Yours words of praise make me very proud of Dom, who was most happy in the company of you and men like you. Please find enclosed a photograph of Dom for the next issue of ” Ice Cream Topics.”
Yours very sincerely,
Pasqua . Pia.
Ice Cream Topics Summer 1965
If ever a trader was generally mourned it was Dom Pia, of Maidstone, who died at the end of last May, only 54 years old, especially as he had recovered from a few weeks of illness and seemed his old self again, always bright and cheerful and eager to make family, friends and all others happy. The untimely end came quite suddenly and was a shock to all. It was due to coronary thrombosis. This cheerful soul was born in Prestonpans, Scotland, from Loreto and Gaetana, nee’ Crolla, who hailed from Picinisco. He married Pasqua Crolla and had two sons : Tony, 29 years old, who married Diane Fabrizi, of Maidstone, last year (report and photograph appeared in this journal), and Peter, who is 17. His first shop in the South of England was at Shoreham; he then opened two shops at Eastbourne and then transferred himself to Maidstone, where he opened and ran a remarkably attractive ice cream parlour, etc., which soon had to be enlarged. Wherever he went he became extremely popular and highly successful, for the highest possible quality of goods and courtesy to all customers were his two business gods. Six years ago he won a Bronze Medal in the competitions . A few months ago he sold his Maidstone shop and was planning to spend a month or two in Italy on a holiday and then open afresh in Maidstone, but his intended stay with the De Marco family in Picinisco never matured. His funeral was very imposing indeed, and the wreaths – there were over 80 of these – were large and costly testimonies to the high esteem in which he was held. Members of the following families (in many cases the surnames are duplicated and even triplicated) were present: Faccenda, D’Ambrosio, Crolla, Di Ciacca, De Marco, Capaldi, Alonzi, Dimarco, Fabris, Cascarini, Margiotta, Gargari, Macari, Pelosi, Colombotti, Conte, Fusciardi, Morelli, Caira, Gizzi, Sasso, Di Paolo, Pedro, Nevi, Valente, Pugliesi, Pirozzolo, Di Vito, Pompa (Joseph) Nardoni, Zita, Lawrence, Tye, Beale, Wood, Sunnocks, Sothern, Birch, Niblett, etc.
His widow’s cousin, George De Marco, of 11 York Place, Brighton, well known in Alliance circles, and one of the many who have written eulogies on Dom, ends with ” I shall miss him very much indeed: he was great fun in any company.” In very few years our South of England traders have had to say goodbye to three exceptionally esteemed colleagues: Eugenio and Agostino De Marco and Lorenzo Dimarco. And now death has robbed us of charming Dom Pia, who had all the good qualities the other three had. R.I.P.
The Widows Thanks
We are taking the unusual step of publishing a copy of the letter Mrs. P. Pia, widow of dear Dom, sent to Pritchitt’s Sales and Export Manager, Mr. J. E. Ogden, of Bognor, who had known Tony for many years, and whose letter to the bereaved family remains an exceptional example of regrets and sincerity.
27 Square Hill Road,
Maidstone, Kent
Dear Mr. Ogden,
9th June, 1965.
My sons and I should like to thank you and Pritchitt & Co. for your very kind thoughts and beautiful flowers on the death of my husband. I knew that you and Dom were always very good friends and he so much looked forward to your visits and “gossip,” as you so aptly put it. Yours words of praise make me very proud of Dom, who was most happy in the company of you and men like you. Please find enclosed a photograph of Dom for the next issue of ” Ice Cream Topics.”
Yours very sincerely,
Pasqua . Pia.
George De Marco’s sad bereavement
Ice Cream Topics Autumn 1972
As we go to press we learn, with the deepest possible regret, of the sudden death of charming Grace Irene (Renee) De Marco, the beloved wife for nearly forty years of popular George De Marco, of 11, York Place, Brighton, 1, on August 13, at the age of 61. She had suffered from cardiac trouble for seven years but never lost her charming nature and love for work and customers even if she could no longer give her famous “fantastic parties” to relatives and friends and surprise them with all sorts of catering delights, both English and Continental, all made with a touch of genius. She was really outstanding.
The Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church which was packed by members of various denominations, mourning a sincere friend and an outstanding wife, mother and grandmother. Numerous relatives came from London, Cardlff, Hastings, Bexhill, Tunbridge Wells Maidstone, etc. while telegrams came from as far as Italy. The masses of floral tributes were as beautiful as they were numerous.
Our deepest condolences to sorrowing George, children and grandchildren. It has been a great loss indeed, similar to that, only a few years ago, of his wonderful father, Agostino, who started and developed the three high class shops in Brighton and Hove and was the only dedicated photographer of our traders’ scenes in Picinisco and Atina, etc. we ever encountered. He was one of the super-gentlemen of our trade, like his relatives Lorenzo and Eugenio Dimarco Peter Pelosi, Giovanni d’Agostino, Pia of Maidstone, Jimmy Fella of Weston- Super-Mare, Joseph Rocca, etc.
Ice Cream Topics Autumn 1972
As we go to press we learn, with the deepest possible regret, of the sudden death of charming Grace Irene (Renee) De Marco, the beloved wife for nearly forty years of popular George De Marco, of 11, York Place, Brighton, 1, on August 13, at the age of 61. She had suffered from cardiac trouble for seven years but never lost her charming nature and love for work and customers even if she could no longer give her famous “fantastic parties” to relatives and friends and surprise them with all sorts of catering delights, both English and Continental, all made with a touch of genius. She was really outstanding.
The Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church which was packed by members of various denominations, mourning a sincere friend and an outstanding wife, mother and grandmother. Numerous relatives came from London, Cardlff, Hastings, Bexhill, Tunbridge Wells Maidstone, etc. while telegrams came from as far as Italy. The masses of floral tributes were as beautiful as they were numerous.
Our deepest condolences to sorrowing George, children and grandchildren. It has been a great loss indeed, similar to that, only a few years ago, of his wonderful father, Agostino, who started and developed the three high class shops in Brighton and Hove and was the only dedicated photographer of our traders’ scenes in Picinisco and Atina, etc. we ever encountered. He was one of the super-gentlemen of our trade, like his relatives Lorenzo and Eugenio Dimarco Peter Pelosi, Giovanni d’Agostino, Pia of Maidstone, Jimmy Fella of Weston- Super-Mare, Joseph Rocca, etc.
Alfonso De Marco retires after 70 years
Ice Cream Topics Pre-Season 1974
“He had ’em all licked” said the Evening Argus, Eastboume, recently, when Alfonso De Marco, of Seaside, Eastboume, retired after 60 years in the trade. He opened his own shop in 1934. The newspaper even published a photo of him, smiling as usual, at his open window, hygienic freezer and tiers of large cones. How many hundreds of thousands, if not millions. of ice cream cones had he served in his long career?
We liked the final paragraph: “He has cousins in Hastings and Brighton who sell ice cream.” Yes, indeed, the De Marco, Di Marco and Demarco families on our South Coast have always been a credit to the trade as well as innovators. The first open window and the first multiple-sized wafer “machine” i.e. ice cream wafer sandwich holder-moulder, were first thought of at Lorenzo Dimarco’s Wellington Place, Hastings, busy shop, where time was very precious indeed in the summer months.
In Brighton, Agostino De Marco not only opened several tip-top ice cream parlours but found time to be the trade’s most famous amateur photographer. He took thousands of photos of traders on holiday in Italy, coloured slides, and so on and loved to entertain friends to “photographic evenings”, enlarging them on a screen. Is it true that the whole collection disappeared mysteriously in the wilds of Picinisco? Is nothing sacred in this world?
Ice Cream Topics Pre-Season 1974
“He had ’em all licked” said the Evening Argus, Eastboume, recently, when Alfonso De Marco, of Seaside, Eastboume, retired after 60 years in the trade. He opened his own shop in 1934. The newspaper even published a photo of him, smiling as usual, at his open window, hygienic freezer and tiers of large cones. How many hundreds of thousands, if not millions. of ice cream cones had he served in his long career?
We liked the final paragraph: “He has cousins in Hastings and Brighton who sell ice cream.” Yes, indeed, the De Marco, Di Marco and Demarco families on our South Coast have always been a credit to the trade as well as innovators. The first open window and the first multiple-sized wafer “machine” i.e. ice cream wafer sandwich holder-moulder, were first thought of at Lorenzo Dimarco’s Wellington Place, Hastings, busy shop, where time was very precious indeed in the summer months.
In Brighton, Agostino De Marco not only opened several tip-top ice cream parlours but found time to be the trade’s most famous amateur photographer. He took thousands of photos of traders on holiday in Italy, coloured slides, and so on and loved to entertain friends to “photographic evenings”, enlarging them on a screen. Is it true that the whole collection disappeared mysteriously in the wilds of Picinisco? Is nothing sacred in this world?