Tributes paid to 'pillar' of Peterborough community

Carlo loved opera and would sing for free at couple's weddings

A man who is credited with setting up a city's first ever Italian grocers in the 1960s has died at the age of 95.

Carlo Broccoli came to Peterborough in the 1950s to help ease worker shortages after the war, joining the city's brickyards.

He became a "pillar" of the Peterborough community, opening businesses with his family that are still running today.

He is described as being "one of the greats" of the Italian community.

Working life at the brick yard. Carlo was 22 when he joined the London Brick Company in the 1950s

Carlo came to Peterborough in the 1950s, responding to an advert in his native Italy calling for manual workers and joined the workforce at London Brick Company.

He later opened what is heralded as the first Italian grocery store in Peterborough in Fletton High Street, selling salami and delivering bread.

Serving up Italian specialities in Peterborough. Carlo and Edmonda Broccoli

He became an interpreter for the police and the courts and was an opera singer, performing for free at weddings in local churches.

Daniele said: "I hadn't realised how many people he had helped over the years. If I am 50% of what he has achieved I'll be happy.

"I think he had Peterborough in him. He saw it grow from a little city into what it is today."

Pep Cipriano, the chief operating officer of Peterborough Positive, and member of the Italian community himself, said: "He was quite simply one of the nicest human beings I have ever met.

"He was one of the greats of the Italian community."

Carlo's wife, Edmonda, passed away two years ago. The couple were married for more than 75 years.

Daniele said: "I'm sad that he's gone but I'm pleased that he's with my mum. They never spent more than a day apart."

Carlo and Edmonda, seen here enjoying Peterborough Embankment in the 1960s with eldest son, Davide

After the Italian foodshop, Carlo opened a travel agency.

Daniele, who runs the travel agency, said: "We've had so many messages about how he used to help everybody. He used to describe Italy as his real mum, but Peterborough as his step mum.

"He couldn't bear to leave the city because he realised it had given him such a good life."