Remembering nonno.

Some people leave behind more than memories. They leave behind a legacy of love, laughter, and life lessons that shape us forever. My Nonno was one of those people.

Born in Calabria in the 1920s, he grew up in a world so different from today. Life was simple, yet full of hard work, tradition, and family. It was in his early twenties that he first saw my Nonna, standing on her balcony, hanging washing in the sun. It was love at first sight. That single moment led to a lifetime together, one that would see them cross oceans and build a new life far from home.

In the 1950s, Nonno and Nonna took a leap of faith and moved to Australia, settling in Fitzroy. Back then, Fitzroy was a bustling hub of migrants working hard to carve out a future. They saved every penny, eventually moving to the northern suburbs – a decision that made sense at the time but, looking at property values now, makes us all wish they had stayed put!

Nonno worked as a waiter at a hotel when he first arrived, adapting to a new culture and language with resilience. It wasn’t long before my mum was born, followed just 18 months later by my aunty. With a growing family to support, Nonno took a job at a shoe factory. His strong work ethic saw him rise through the ranks to become a floor manager, a position he held until he retired.

But his true passion was his garden. No matter how busy life got, Nonno always found time to tend to his vegetable patch. It was his pride and joy. Every visitor, whether family or friend, would be treated to a grand tour of his latest seasonal produce. “Come, I want to show you something!” he would beam. He’d slowly stroll around his garden pointing out tomatoes, zucchinis, and parsley, offering advice on the best way to grow and cook them.

Every Friday, without fail, Nonno would pick me up from school and drop me home. It was a simple routine, but it meant so much to me. Our drives were filled with his stories, his laughter, and his gentle wisdom.

Family gatherings were never complete without Nonno’s stories and antics. He had a way of making everyone laugh, of bringing warmth and joy to every occasion. Whether it was a story about his favourite wine or a cheeky joke, he knew how to make a room come alive. But you had to be ON TIME. Lunch was at 1pm and if you weren’t seated and ready to eat at that time, or you’d hear about it!

Nonno lived a long and happy life, passing away at the beautiful age of 92. Though he’s no longer physically with us, his spirit lingers in the traditions he passed down, in the vegetables that still grow in our gardens, and in the stories we continue to share about him. We all miss him a lot, but we also know how lucky we were to have had him with us for so long.

All of these memories – the laughter, the food, the love – are what inspired my sister Claudia and I to create our new picture book, My Nonno Loves. It’s our way of keeping his spirit alive and sharing the warmth of Nonno with the next generation.

His life was a testament to love, hard work, and the simple joys of family. And for that, we will always be grateful. Love you nonno, wherever you are. xx