Died
J. Ongeri: 3rd July 1937
R. Franchi: 15th July 1955
Died
J. Ongeri: 3rd July 1937
R. Franchi: 15th July 1955
Sources
Barrow News
North West Evening Mail
CWGC
Place
Walks
Barrow 4 point 28
Themes
Italian businesses in Barrow
Early days: there is much more to be discovered and written about the contribution made to the well-being and joy to be found in Barrow through the contribution of these businesses. There are several graves to be found in the Catholic section of the Cemetery.
John Ongeri
3 July 1937
Formerly at: Confectioners, 4 Paxton Terrace – 1959 Trade Directory
OF YOUR CHARITY PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF
JOHN ONGERI
DIED 3RD JULY 1937 AGED 52 YEARS
ALSO HIS BELOVED WIFE
LEOPOLDA ONGERI
DIED 17TH OCTOBER 1975 AGED 86 YEARS
AND THEIR DEAR DAUGHTER
ESTHER ONGERI
DIED 22ND JULY 2007 AGED 93 YEARS
R.I.P.
On the kerb is a memorial to their son Mario, killed in action 6th April 1943.
CWGC tells us Private Ongeri (4751964) was 26 and serving in the 6th Bn. Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment). He is buried in Sfax War Cemetery (Tunisia), and was the son of Giovanni and Leopolda Ongeri, of Barrow-in- Furness, Lancashire. Note the Italian name, anglicised to John on the gravestone.
The account of Mr. Ongeri’s funeral appears in the Barrow News 7 July 1937:
The Barrow News, 7 July 1937FUNERAL AT BARROW
THE LATE MR. G. ONGERI
The funeral of the late Mr. Giovanni Ongeri took place from 4 Paxton-terrace, Barrow, on Tuesday morning.
Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s R.C. Church by the Rev. Fr. Richardson, who also officiated at the graveside at the cemetery. The chief mourners were Mrs. Ongeri, wife; Mr. Joseph Ongeri, Mr. M. Ongeri, and Mr. J. Ongeri, sons; Miss M. Ongeri, and Miss E. Ongeri, daughters; Mr. and Mrs. G. Guselli, Miss Guselli, Mr. Prospro, Mr. Grindle, Mr. Shepherd, Mr. Brereton, Mrs. Flynn, Mr. D. Flynn, Mr. and Mrs. Deganis, Mr. and Mrs. Mr. and Mrs. Franki, Mr. Bell, Mrs Bruccianni, Mr. L. Bruccianni, and Miss M. McQuillan. (spelling as original)
The bearers were Messrs. J. Lennon, O’Hare, G. Guselli, Shepherd, Bell, Williams, and Pepi Moroni. There were many beautiful floral tributes.
The Franchi family were another ice cream/café company.
The gravestone hides a tragedy NWEM 16 July 1955:
NWEM, 16 July 1955One dead, two hurt in Barrow car crash
HEAD OF ICE-CREAM BUSINESS KILLED
MR. RAFAELO FRANCHI, managing director of R. D. Franchi, Ltd., the Barrow ice cream company, died after being injured in a road accident in Barrow, early today.
The accident occurred at 2.15 a.m. when Mr. Franchi, who was driving a motor van, came into collision with a motor car driven by Geoffrey Slater, of Greenmoor Bungalow, Pennington, at the junction of Abbey Road and Rating Lane.
It is understood that Mr. Franchi was driving into town and Mr. Slater was turning out of Rating Lane towards Dalton.
Mr. Slater received head injuries and his condition is “fair”. Mr. James Creighton (26), of 16 Stackwood Avenue, Barrow, a passenger in Mr. Franchi’s van, injured his leg. His condition is “comfortable.”
Mr Franchi, who was 63 had lived in Barrow since he was 12. His aunt started the ice cream business, but he had looked after it since 1924.
He leaves a widow and two daughters, who live at 11, Fairfield Lane.
