DONATO SANFILIPPO

SANFILIPPO, DONATO Today we lost a man who wished for and achieved the American Dream. Donato Sanfilippo, was born November 4, 1939, and left us on July 1, 2012. Dad was a unique person, who worked hard and long to become a success. He was born in a very small town, Porticello, Sicily. Donato, Don as he was known to friends and family, had four sisters and two brothers. Dad was a son to Pietro and Dora Sanfilippo. His early life was a struggle, and at the age of fifteen, he and his mother headed to the United States of America to begin a new life. The rest of his family soon followed. They settled in San Diego, where his father went to work for the tuna industry. As a young man in a new country, speaking little of the language, he learned that hard work was his ticket to success. Don helped to support his family by going to work which meant school took a back seat. He worked in local restaurants sweeping and cleaning. He then began working in the grocery business. Even in his youth he loved produce and anything that could be grown in a garden. In 1962, Don met Anna Ramirez. They married in 1963, and in 1964 their first daughter Dora was born. Don and Anna worked hard for their new family and in 1970 their second daughter, Delina, was born. Don continued working in the restaurant as well as, the grocery store industry. Dad knew that through hard work anything was possible. In 1975, Don and Anna opened Sanfilippo's Pizza in La Mesa, California. What started as a small Italian restaurant, blossomed into a local landmark. For the next 32 years Don and Anna ran it side by side. They didn't always agree on the "How", but the "Why" was always evident. They wanted their customers to have the best meal in town. Together with their daughters' help, the restaurant has become a destination for many residents in La Mesa and beyond. For a while he and Anna owned a produce farm in El Cajon. They loved to sell pumpkins and Christmas trees. Don could grow anything that he tried to. He had the greenest thumb in town. Dad loved classic cars and owned a 1953 Studebaker. He had the car completely redone and it was his pride and joy. He would take it to the Thursday Night Car Show in La Mesa. Many of Dad's first customers still frequent the restaurant and many have stories about him. He was a unique individual with strong preferences for anything about Elvis, classic cars or how his meat sauce should taste. He also loved to watch sports on TV. He was not into politics, and hated waiting for things to happen. He was a go getter and a good story teller. In fact, he could have a whole roomful of people laughing at the silliest story. He loved Anna and his girls. He didn't always know how to say it but, we knew. Donato suffered a massive stroke on October 11, 2007. After being in and out of the hospital, he was taken home and cared for by Anna. When his care became too much he went to live at Community Convalescent Hospital. Anna was there several times a day to feed and take care of Don, and to make sure the nurses knew what to do and how to do it. We miss him and wish he were here with us. His legacy will never be forgotten and his impressive personality will forever be telling the next great story in heaven. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Anna; his two daughters; two grandchildren; and one son-in-law. He is also survived by four sisters and many nieces and nephews. The memorial service will be held at Faith Chapel, 9400 Campo Rd., Spring Valley, on Tuesday, July 10th, at 11:00 a.m. There will be a viewing from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. the same day. Burial to follow at Singing Hills, 2800 Dehesa Rd., El Cajon, CA 92019. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.