Pellegrini’s owner Sisto Malaspina killed by Bourke Street terrorist

Grief-stricken business partner says beloved Pellegrinis cafe co-owner killed in terror attack “never had a bad word” for anyone.

Terrorism victim Sisto Malaspina, right, and co-owner Nino Pangrazio at their Pellegrini's cafe in Melbourne in 2010. Picture: Aaron Francis

Melbourne’s renowned Pellegrini’s restaurant become a memorial site today in the wake of Sisto Malaspina’s murder at the hands of a lone wolf terrorist.

The beloved Melbourne cafe owner was named as the man stabbed to death in Bourke Street yesterday, and grief is being expressed around the nation, including on social media.

Mr Malaspina, 74, had owned Pellegrini’s, a famed coffee house, since 1974 with his business partner Nino Pangrazio. Flowers have piled up outside the iconic corner venue, where staff have also gathered to remember “the best boss”.

The Weekend Australian this morning revealed Mr Malaspina’s actions yesterday may have prevented an even deadlier attack and more casualties on Bourke Street, when Hassan Khalif Shire Ali went on a car and knife rampage about 4.20pm.

Mourners have turned Pellgrini's into a makeshift shrine today. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Business partner Nino Pangrazio near Pellegrini's Bar today. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Opposition Leader and Melburnian Bill Shorten expressed the sentiments of many when he visited Bourke Street earlier today.

“I just can’t believe it is Sisto,” Mr Shorten said of the man credited with bringing coffee culture to Melbourne decades ago.

The Labor leader said he, like many politicians, knew Mr Malaspina well, and had spoken to him just a week ago.

His heartbroken long-time business partner Mr Pangrazio described his friend and colleague as a “bon vivant” and “the happiest person you could imagine.”

“Such a sad day for Melbourne,” Mr Pangrazio told the Herald Sun, revealing Mr Malaspina had welcomed his first grandchild only a week before his death.

Visibly upset, Mr Pangrazio was comfored by staff and even police outside the premises this morning.

“He loved life. He was always happy. Never a bad word, never a dull moment,” he said.

“As soon as people walked in the doors they were welcome.”

A police officer hugs Mr Pangrazio. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

A shrine has been created outside Pellegrini’s after the death of Sisto Malaspina. RIP #bourkestreet pic.twitter.com/NYUcCKPK5P

— Luke Henriques-Gomes (@lukehgomes) November 10, 2018

Heart broken that we lost such a great man of Pellegrini’s and a friend to so many (including me) Sisto Malaspina , to a senseless act of violence in Melbourne. Sisto thank you for the love you gave us all, you will be missed mate. R.I .P pic.twitter.com/gjSAjgFV5I

— Anthony Field (@Anthony_Wiggle) November 10, 2018

Mr Malaspina was the Ron Barassi of Melbourne’s Italian restaurant industry.

His death will add a layer of grief to the terror attack that only his patrons will understand.

People wept openly yesterday when his identity was revealed.

For decades he fed and watered every premier and politician that entered the Spring Street Victorian parliament.

He was known to, it seemed, everyone in Melbourne.

His manner was, like former footballer Barassi, most welcoming but often short and to the point.

He had a job to do and it was done with production-line efficiency.

RIP Sisto. Coffee and food pioneer. He worked 70 hour weeks at Pellegrini's and always had a smile for you. Four weeks ago he gave me a granita on the house. His passing is utterly tragic. A massive part of Melbourne has left with him. Love to all at Pellegrini's. pic.twitter.com/f6xawI6Zio

— Adam Zwar (@adamzwar) November 10, 2018

The touching note left by staff for Sisto Malaspina in the Pellegrini's front window #BourkeStreet pic.twitter.com/27DYGJU8Yp

— Mike Bruce (@miketbruce) November 10, 2018

That Mr Malaspina was apparently going to the aid of the terrorist spoke much for his humanity.

He was about getting the job done.

Pellegrini’s was the first restaurant in Melbourne to have an espresso machine and thrived perhaps despite itself, on a diet of coffee, minestrone and lasagne.

Pellegrini's espresso bar, circa 1987. Picture: Leigh Henningham.

Patrons sat on stools either facing into the serving area or the side wall. They came for a good time, not a long time.

The lucky few could eat out the back where the food was prepared but mostly people came and went for the atmosphere after the theatre or the football.

The victim of the Bourke Street attack was the beloved co-owner of Melbourne institution, Pellegrinis. Sisto Malaspina is described by lifelong friend and fellow owner, Nino, as someone who loved life, and loved helping others. @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/bRLumr63ow

— Alexandra Keefe (@alexkeefe9) November 9, 2018

Mr Malaspina had been at the restaurant for 44 years and was walking through his city, minding his own business until the killer presented as someone in deep distress.

That Mr Malaspina’s life ended under a white sheet on Bourke Street, with his shoes at his side, seems deeply unfair.

The cafe will be closed over the weekend as his staff mourn the loss, news.com.au reported. Support had flowed in as the cafe window became filled with floral tributes.

The heartache of Bourke St. Nino Pangrazio mourning the los off long time Pellegrinis business partner, Sisto Malaspina ⁦@7NewsMelbourne⁩ pic.twitter.com/FapTD0NfZu

— CameronBaud7 (@CameronBaud7) November 9, 2018

Desperate efforts were made at scene to save Mr Malaspina by emergency workers, according to Markel Villasin, who worked at a KFC on Bourke Street, but he died at the scene.

A 26-year-old man and a 58-year-old man were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The older victim has been named as Rod Patterson, a businessman from Tasmania. In a tweet, Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman praised him for his bravery, saying “a nicer bloke you wouldn’t meet”.

Terror stabbing victim, former South Launceston Football Club president and businessman Rod Patterson.

Mr Patterson’s actions in Bourke Street have been hailed as heroic by his friends and family, as he recovers in hospital following the attack.

As the knife-wielding terrorist, Hassan Khalif Shire Ali, lunged at police and other bystanders, killing one, Patterson was caught in the affray. He was also stabbed.

Shire Ali later died in hospital after being shot by a policeman to stop further attacks.