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Trustworthy, honest, and hard-working are words that comes to mind when Carlo Giambattista thinks of his dad.
Francesco “Frank” Giambattista, one of the founder’s of the Italian Star Deli, died at the beginning of August at the age of 95.
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“He was just a social guy and he left a great footprint wherever he was,” Carlo said, who now co-owns the business. “You could follow that footprint and know that it’s going to a better place.”
Frank and his wife Gina bought the deli almost 60 years ago after immigrating to Saskatchewan from Italy.
Gina and Frank shared nearly 69 years of marriage together. (Carlo Giambattista/Submitted)
Outside of the deli, Frank enjoyed spending time outdoors on the golf course and in his garden.
“He lived a great life,” Carlo said.“Ninety-five-years-old. The man is a pillar. He’s a rock. He’s got so much that he gave to the community and to the family.”
“I was at peace when he passed away. I said ‘Okay, pop, now you can go do what you do.’ ”
Carlo now co-owns the Italian Star Deli with other members of his family. (Carlo Giambattista/ Submitted)
Frank is survived by his wife and many family members. Customers are greeted with photos of Frank and Gina when they enter the doors of the business on Victoria Avenue in Regina.
A few days after Frank’s death, Carlo’s daughter Marina and her partner Evan welcomed the newest addition to the family. They chose to name their daughter Francesca, after the Giambattista family patriarch.
“It was incredible to pay homage to him,” Carlo said. “It’s something else.”
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking donations be made to the Saskatchewan Alzheimer Society in Frank’s memory.
Frank and his wife, Gina stand outside the Italian Star Deli, in Regina. (Carlo Giambattista/ Submitted)
What Frank and Gina built
Frank was born on July 19, 1930, in Guardiaregia, Italy and Carlo said his father was always on the move, bringing joy where ever he went.
“Flies would be attracted to him because he’s just a beacon of light,” he said.
Days after he married Gina in Vinchiaturo, Italy, in 1956 he immigrated to Canada.
Frank worked various jobs — including washing dishes at Utopia Cafe on Dewdney Avenue — to raise money to have his wife join him in Canada. She arrived in January, 1958.
“My dad was always very, very energetic—never scared to work,” Carlo said. “He worked night jobs. He worked day jobs. He worked weekends.”
Frank worked with the City of Regina as a garbage man or a “sanitation engineer of the mobile unit,” he always joked.
The couple purchased Italian Star Deli in 1966. Carlo’s said his parents “rock star” work ethic in developing the store was unmatched.
“My dad was the vision, my mom was the workhorse, and we were the slaves,” said Carlo with a laugh, remembering all the Saturdays he worked in the shop.
Frank would move up within his role at the City of Regina and work as a supervisor with the Public Works Department. He would retire in 1985, but continued to pitch in at the store, which has seen three generations of employees from the family, including Frank’s grandson Gino.
“I feel a loss of a man who held the world on his shoulders,” Gino said. “But we keep that legacy going and we keep it moving.”
Carlo said he will always remember his dad bringing joy, warmth and laughter throughout his final years.
Carlo and Frank stand in the Italian Star Deli. (Carlo Giambattista/ Submitted)
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