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Leichhardt: Community supports Grumpy Bean Cafe owner Dan Pascuzzo

A “big friendly giant” inner west cafe owner battling an illness has prompted a tight-knit community to keep the neighbourhood business running and cover his growing medical expenses.

Grumpy Bean Cafe owner Dan Pascuzzo is in ICU at hospital.
Grumpy Bean Cafe owner Dan Pascuzzo is in ICU at hospital.

Staff and customers at a Leichhardt cafe are throwing their support behind the beloved barista and owner while he fights for life in hospital.

Grumpy Bean Cafe Dan Pascuzzo was rushed to hospital on Thursday and, within two days, was in a medically-induced coma in an intensive care unit after suffering a flu.

“People underestimate it,’’ his daughter Sarah Martire said.

“It turned into pneumonia and then he became septic.

“He declined very quickly.

Grumpy Bean Cafe owner Dan Pascuzzo with his grandsons.
Grumpy Bean Cafe owner Dan Pascuzzo with his grandsons.

“He’s a big, burly guy – we couldn’t have predicted it. To some degree he’s got age on his side.’’

Now the 49-year-old father and grandfather’s family and tight-knit workmates have organised a GoFundMe fundraiser to support growing medical bills and keep his Hubert St cafe of 10 years running.

Dan Pascuzzo opened the cafe 10 years ago.
Dan Pascuzzo opened the cafe 10 years ago.

The cafe employs three workers and has become a neighbourhood favourite with firefighters, churchgoers and locals who love Mr Pascuzzo’s strong coffee brew.

“We joke he’s got coffee in his veins and it’s keeping him fighting at the moment,’’ Ms Martire said.

Mr Pascuzzo is affectionately known as Grumps for the inadvertent expression on his face, which belies his warm nature that has made his cafe a success.

“He’s known as the big, friendly giant,’’ Ms Martire said.

The community hopes Mr Pascuzzo will be back at work once his health improves.

“His staff are doing their best but the doctors are giving us no timelines or prognosis,’’ Ms Martire said.

GoFundMe organiser and family friend Peta Daley said the cafe was not just a business but the family’s main source of income and a “little community hub built with a whole lot of love, hard work and heart”.

“He’s always there to lend a hand, asks for nothing in return, and has a heart as big as he is,’’ she said.

“He’s a quiet listener, not one to say much – but when he does speak, it’s with thought, care and meaning.’’

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/inner-west/leichhardt-community-supports-grumpy-bean-cafe-owner-dan-pascuzzo/news-story/0d21c59d8712c26c157ab4d4ba6754dc