1914–1987
Prospect Cemetery
Section A Row 280 Level D
Frank Stefano Darrigo was the embodiment of grit, vision and the immigrant dream. Born in Toronto’s Cabbagetown to a Sicilian family of 13 children, Frank’s childhood unfolded against the backdrop of the Great Depression – a time when survival demanded ingenuity. His father, Stefano, earned a living as a fruit peddler, and by the age of five, Frank was already knocking on doors, selling fruit with a smile and a determination beyond his years.
By 16, Frank had saved enough to buy a pushcart with rubber wheels, a modest upgrade that marked the beginning of his own entrepreneurial journey. Soon, the pushcart gave way to a truck, and Frank’s produce business stretched beyond Toronto’s neighbourhoods to the mining settlements around Sudbury. His relentless drive and sharp instincts set the stage for something bigger.
In 1950, Frank and his brother John opened their first store on Danforth Avenue. That single storefront grew into Darrigo’s Food Markets, a thriving chain of 10 stores serving Toronto and surrounding communities. But Frank’s ambitions didn’t stop at groceries. The family branched into grape juice production in Toronto, established a winery in Quebec and even launched wine and juice operations in California – ventures that reflected both entrepreneurial daring and deep pride in their Sicilian heritage.
Frank was known as a tough negotiator in business, yet his generosity toward friends and the wider community was legendary. His story is one of persistence, innovation and heart – a man who turned hardship into opportunity and helped shape Toronto’s post-war retail landscape.
Frank passed away on October 18, 1987, leaving behind not just a business empire, but also a legacy of perseverance and possibility. Today, his life reminds us of the power of hard work and the lasting spirit of immigrant families who built the city we know.
Sources:
• Mount Pleasant Group – Frank Stefano Darrigo
• Cabbagtowner – Throwback Thursday Darrigo’s Groceries
Photo: Corner Spruce and Carlton Streets (Darrigo's Grocery), Ca. 1947, City of Toronto Archives, Series 372
