A “lovely and kind” ice-cream man who dedicated nearly 50 years of his life to serving sweet treats to generations of customers in Grimsby has sadly died following a battle with cancer.
Donato Carinci, 77, who lived in Scunthorpe, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, leaving behind beloved wife Andonietta, son Pietro, daughters Giovanna and Sabrina, five grandchildren Alessandro, Erin, Gabriella, Vincenzo and Gianluca, and more of his cherished family in his native Italy.
Since he began selling ice-cream in Grimsby, Donato served thousands of customers over the years in the areas of Waltham, Holton le Clay, the Willows, the Wybers, Laceby, Nunsthorpe, Great Coates, Keelby and Caistor.
Born in a small, poverty-stricken village near Naples in southern Italy on New Year’s Day 1948, Donato was one of eight children and started working on the land tending to goats and sheep at just six years old to provide for his family. Aged 14, he moved to Milan to live with his older brother and began working in a welding factory.
In 1973, Donato relocated from Italy to the UK – in none other than his green Mini Cooper – to work for Angelo Giaquinto, who had moved to Scunthorpe in the early 1960s to set up the Angelo’s Ice-Cream business.
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He would go on to fall in love with and marry Angelo’s daughter Andonietta in 1976, and the couple opened a restaurant in Grimsby. Despite its success, Donato decided he wanted a job with more flexibility that would allow him to visit his family in Italy every year – and began delivering ice-cream around Grimsby in the late 1970s.
Speaking to Grimsby Live, Donato’s son Pietro said: “He’s done the same ice-cream run for 47 years. He was diagnosed with cancer in May last year and he carried on selling ice-cream right until the end of June when he started chemotherapy.
“My family received messages from people asking where he’d been, and he felt so grateful and valued that his customers were asking about him. When we posted details of his funeral, we were inundated with lovely messages from his customers saying how they’d always remember his smile and his kindness, and that he hadn’t changed one bit since the 1970s. He served four generations of families in some cases.
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“He used to say that it wasn’t just a job, it was his hobby. He saw the customers as his extended family and even though he did reduce his workload in his later life, he couldn’t let go of it. Quite a lot of his customers came over for meals at the family house over the years, and we just remember him being so helpful to people.
“He would take the time to speak to customers and they’d bring their kids and grandkids to see him. People used to ask him if he had any broken cornets and he’d break one slyly and give it to them.”
Not only did Donato cherish his customers – but he was a loving and dedicated family man right until the end.
“My mum and dad loved each other to bits,” Pietro said.
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“As a dad, he was always so kind and lovely. He was always helping his family and has always been there for us with love and affection. He raised us with his values and work ethic.
“A couple of years ago he paid for us all to go to Majorca for two weeks, and my younger sister’s boyfriend asked him for his blessing to propose to her. They’re getting married in Majorca in July and my dad said to her towards the end, ‘Your wedding needs to go on regardless of whether I’m here or not’.”
Each year, Donato would travel back to his native Italy to reunite with his siblings, nieces and nephews.
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Pietro recalled: “I remember those times in the 1980s going back there and sitting in this really small kitchen with three or four families all crammed in, and you just realise how hard it must’ve been for them growing up.
“But he always remembered the happy times and said it’s what made him the person he is today. He just wanted the simple things in life, and he was so happy to have his family around him at mealtimes and special occasions. That’s where he got his pleasure – visiting Italy and spending time with his family.”
Donato’s funeral will take place at 11am on Friday, February 28 at Holy Souls Church on Frodingham Road, Scunthorpe, with the wake to be held at the Polish Social Centre. No dress code. You can make donations in memory of Donato to Lindsey Lodge Hospice, who cared for him in his final days, by clicking here.
Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe
