‘Papa Vince’ Coppola Remembered as a Legend in Thorold, Ontario

Vincenzo “Papa Vince” Coppola, a pizzaiolo described as a “native legend” in Thorold, Ontario, Canada, handed away on January 5 on the age of 81.

Coppola based Papa Vince Pizza in 1985. “My father was a tremendous man who labored so onerous to create Papa Vince Pizza,” his son, Johnny Coppola, wrote in a Fb submit. “I’m so honoured my household and I’ve been operating the pizzeria since 2004.”

In line with Thorold In the present day, Vincenzo Coppola was born in Salerno, Italy, in 1941 and moved to Canada in 1960. “For lots of [immigrants], generally it will convey unhealthy recollections due to how onerous they’d it [in Italy],” Johnny instructed the newspaper. “It was actually powerful, so coming to Canada was an enormous alternative, and he was able to sort out it head on.”

As soon as in Ontario, Vincenzo fell in love with Adelina, one other Italian immigrant, at a mutual good friend’s marriage ceremony. “They met there, and my mother mentioned that my dad wouldn’t depart her alone,” Johnny recalled. “He requested her to bounce the entire night time. Not even a yr later, they have been married.”

Though he was a welder by commerce, Vincenzo finally went into the pizza enterprise, operating two totally different pizzerias in St. Catharines earlier than opening Papa Vince Pizza.

At their first pizzeria, the now-married Italian couple struggled a bit as a result of language barrier. To higher be taught English, Vincenzo and Adelina watched loads of “I Love Lucy” exhibits whereas additionally getting tutelage from a member of the family. Over time, Vincenzo turned a beloved member of the Thorold group. “Folks would come see my father and speak for hours, take pleasure in glasses of wine and a slice of pizza,” Johnny instructed Thorold In the present day. “My dad was so beneficiant.”

Johnny and his sister grew up of their dad’s pizzerias and labored the telephones, topped pies and cashed out clients. When Vincenzo determined to go away the pizza enterprise, Johnny was desirous to take over. In the meantime, Vincenzo continued to assist his different son, Luigi, run Coppola’s Ristorante in St. Catharines.

When clients had cash issues, Vincenzo fed them anyway, Johnny added.
“He would simply make them a pizza, and so they may pay him again every time. He would by no means flip anyone away, and I feel it confirmed as a result of folks had a lot respect for him.”