Over the last few days hundreds of messages have been left in front of the iconic café owned by Sisto Malaspina. This morning Pellegrini's has reopened for the first time. "In honour of dad's memory the wonderful staff at Pellegrini's are determined to continue his legacy with the same passion," Mr Malaspina's family said in a statement.
Relatives won't attend on Tuesday but there are expected to be some special guests, including the possibility of Prime Minister Scott Morrison who has indicated a desire to pay his respects.
The Malaspina family agreed to a state funeral for the beloved Melbourne restaurateur, less than a day after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews made the offer.
Sisto Malaspina's death has left the whole city in shock. Today several people from the Italian community talked to us to share their memories of Sisto, from former MP Carlo Carli to former FECCA chairperson Joe Caputo, from Laura Mecca to Maria Tence... And we even heard from an Italian traveller who got to meet Sisto while visiting Melbourne.
To listen to their fond recollections click on the audioplayer.
