Memorial Service for Don Sanfilippo of La Mesa Pizza Fame Is Tuesday

Memorial services are set for 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 10, for Donato “Don” Sanfilippo of La Mesa—founder of a popular pizza restaurant with his wife, Anna, in The Village.

He died July 1 in the wake of a massive stroke in 2007, according to a U-T San Diego obituary.

He was 72.

Services will be at in Spring Valley, with a viewing from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. the same day. Burial will follow at Singing Hills, 2800 Dehesa Rd, east of El Cajon.

“Today we lost a man who wished for and achieved the American Dream,” his family said in the obituary. “Dad was a unique person, who worked hard and long to become a success.”

Deena While of the La Mesa Village Merchants Association said the 2012 Back To The '50s Car Show has been dedicated to him.

Mayor Art Madrid told La Mesa Today that Sanfilippo was the “prototypical immigrant, a man who just worked his tail off to make something of himself and his community.”

Born in the small Sicilian town of Porticello, Sanfilippo at age 15 moved with his mother to the United States, settling in San Diego, the family said.

“As a young man in a new country, speaking little of the language, he learned that hard work was his ticket to success,” the family said. “Don helped to support his family by going to work, which meant school took a back seat. He worked in local restaurants sweeping and cleaning. He then began working in the grocery business.”

In 1962, Don met Anna Ramirez, marrying her a year later. Their first daughter, Dora, was born in 1964, the family said.

“Don and Anna worked hard for their new family and in 1970 their second daughter, Delina, was born,” the family said.

opened in 1975 on La Mesa Boulevard.

“What started as a small Italian restaurant blossomed into a local landmark,” the family said. “For the next 32 years Don and Anna ran it side by side. They didn't always agree on the ‘How,’ but the ‘Why’ was always evident. They wanted their customers to have the best meal in town.

For a time, the Sanfilippos owned a produce farm in El Cajon, selling pumpkins and Christmas trees.

“Don could grow anything that he tried to,” the family said. “He had the greenest thumb in town. Dad loved classic cars and owned a 1953 Studebaker. He had the car completely redone and it was his pride and joy. He would take it to the Thursday Night Car Show in La Mesa.”

After his stroke in October 2007, and a period of hospitalization, he was taken home and cared for by Anna.

“When his care became too much, he went to live at Community Convalescent Hospital” in La Mesa, the family said. “Anna was there several times a day to feed and take care of Don, and to make sure the nurses knew what to do and how to do it.”

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Anna; his two daughters; two grandchildren; and one son-in-law. He also is survived by four sisters and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice, the family said.