02/08/2025
Heaven has gained another Hero today . It is with heavy hearts our family said Fairwell to the King of Pizza ....Mr Frank LaBarbera.
We are going to honor our pizzas this weekend as that is what Frank would of wanted !
In his own house, in his own bed, Frank LaBarbera ended life in his 96th and a half year, holding his doting youngest son Vincentโs hand. Also father to eldest daughter Lina Firth (husband Mike Firth) and middle child John Labarbera(wife Ruth Nichols).
Frank was born in Sicily in 1928 and endured many hardships in war-torn Italy. He was the third born of nine brothers and sisters. Frank and his older brother helped in any way they could in the raising and providing for a family of 11. Their main way of earning a living was farming and cultivating lemon and olive trees. Later, he pursued a career in law enforcement and became a police officer for 12 years. During that period of his life, he married his amore Lina senior. He eventually made a big sacrifice to make her happy and immigrated to Canada because all of her family had pre-immigrated to the Americas. He helped run our grandparents' restaurant for 11 years before founding the fourth pizzeria in London, Frank and Gus Pizza. He was the boss, and his passion for running the business was only equal or surpassed by the other boss, Mama, for 52 years.
They say you are not a true man on this earth while you can still call another man, dad. I just want to say thank you, Dad, for letting my childhood last into my 60s. I know in my heart youโre with Mama, and that gives me peace. I remember the last thing you said to her at her visitation: "You supposed to cry for me, no me for you." Well Pops, now we all cry for both of you; always in our hearts, for now and for always.
Grand kids
1. Lydia, Grace, Frank-Anthony, Nicholas LaBarbera step Grand kids Travis & Tyler Hubley , Kendra Nichols
2. Sarah , James, Michael, Jason, Brandon
Great grandkids
1. Lincoln Burt
2. William, Victoria, Vienna, Evan, Josie, Veronica, Lucas and Jack