Ice Cream King

Hundreds at the Funeral of Carlo Notarianni

Began with barrow, became ice-cream king

Between two and three hundred people stood silently for over an hour outside the Church of the Sacred Heart, Trott Street, Battersea, yesterday morning to pay their last respect to one of Battersea’s best-known men – Italian-born Mr. Carlo Notarianni, who died at the London Clinic on Sunday, aged 56.

He had lived in this country for nearly 30 years, building up prosperous ice-cream businesses from an almost penniless beginning.

The crowd, and the large congregation inside the church, were indicative of the great goodwill his fellow traders and friends in Battersea had for him.

Colleagues in the ice-cream trade came from all parts of England and Scotland to be present at the requiem mass.  Several Battersea fold, too made a special journey to Streatham Vale for the interment.

The funeral possession included 23 cars. Wreaths totalled over 100, that from the family – a cross of carnations and roses covering the entire coffin – being buried in the grave.

As the procession left the church it halted for a few moments outside Mr. Notarianni’s first – established business at 142 High Street, while stallholders stood in respectful silence, and again outside his other shop at 30 St. John’s Hill.

Born Near Cassino

In Carlo Notarianni’s life lies a success story more unusual than that of many other men who have made good.  For most of his 30 years in Britain, he had to struggle with ill-health, and in his early days he was handicapped by not knowing the English language.

He was born at Valvori, near Cassino, of humble parents. Before the first World War he came with his father to Govan, near Glasgow, where they sold ice-cream together.

Lost a Hand

Then he went back to his native Italy for a few years.  At the age of 14 he met his first disaster in life, losing a hand in an accident.

Years later, his younger son, Aldo, met with a similar accident at the same age. Surviving the Allied bombing of Cassino, where he was staying during the war, he lost a hand months later when playing with an unexploded hand grenade.

Started with Nothing

Married, Carlo Notarianni returned to Govan, working his way across Italy, France and Belgium.  When they got to Scotland, he and his wife had little but the clothes they wore- and no knowledge of the language of the country they were to make their home.

For a time, Carlo Notarianni sold ice-cream as an employee.  Then, with his hoarded earnings, he bought a barrow of his own.  Success followed, and he opened up his first ice-cream parlour.

In 1936, after being advised to move South for his health’s sake, Mr Notarianni opened his business at 142 Battersea High Street. May 1948 saw the opening of his parlour at 30 St. John’s Hill, with the modern ice-cream factory at the rear.

Although ill-health frequently compelled him to leave his business for hospital attention, Mr. Notarianni served in his shops whenever he could, dexterously overcoming the handicap of his missing hand.  He delighted especially in serving children.

Church Benefactor

A devout Roman Catholic, Mr. Notarianni made numerous gifts to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Trott Street, and to the Salesian College. Regularly, too, he gave ice-cream to hospitals and church organisations.

He leaves a widow and three children – Mr. Archie Notarianni, Mr. Aldo Notarianni, and Mrs. Maria Marcantonio.  His children were all educated in Italy and have since helped in the running of the businesses.

(from South Western Star, London, Friday August 19, 1949)

 (https://shopfrontelegy.wordpress.com/2013/03/19/c-notarianni-sons/)