Greengrocer Angelo Papasidero passes away at the age of 94

Mr Papasidero died on Monday at the age of 94, leaving behind Wagga Fruit Supply to his son and three of his grandchildren, who work together at the shop.

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The Italian immigrant came to Australia in the 1950s with no money or English skills, but he did possess a determination to work harder than everyone else.

He worked at a cannery during the day and strapped a torch to his hat so he could pick fruit at night, catching only a few hours of sleep here and there in an open paddock.

By scrimping and saving, Mr Papasidero managed to save enough money to buy a truck, which he used to deliver fruit and vegetables around the Riverina.

He eventually made enough money to start a farm in Leeton before going on to open fruit and vegetable shops in Leeton, Sydney, Junee and Wagga.

His son Robert Papasidero helped run the Sydney shop as a schoolboy, and he continues to carry on his dad's legacy in Wagga to this day.

"It's just part of our culture; everyone worked in the family. It teaches you good work ethic," Robert said.

"We all worked together in the business. You see them every day, not just Christmas or Easter or birthdays. It creates a special bond."

Grandson Steve Papasidero said he had many fond memories of his grandfather, almost all of which were inside the shop where he spent virtually every waking hour.

"I was always running in and out of the shop as a kid. I started working here at the age of 14 on Saturdays and all of my brothers did the same thing, and we've all stayed on," Steve said.

"He'd always be cooking, and there'd always be spaghetti out the back waiting for us."

Steve said Angelo lived life to the fullest, having worked energetically up until six months ago when his heart health began to deteriorate.

Until 2012, Angelo had never so much as seen a doctor, which his family attributes to his lifetime of hard work.

He worked at the Wagga grocer until the age of 91 when he moved back to his farm in Leeton, where he continued to grow fruit and vegetables for his shop.

One of the loyal customers who will miss him is 84-year-old Peter Murray, who lives just around the corner from the grocer.

"I moved here three years ago and I'd come in and he'd be working every day. I'd say 'isn't it time you retired?' and he'd say 'nah, I'm only 91'," Mr Murray said.

Angelo's funeral will be held at the Alan Harris McDonald Chapel at 11am on Tuesday, April 27.

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