Rocky Depiro knew the time had come.
Mr. Depiro, 68, the longtime owner of Pal Mino Italian Village, closed Saturday and headed into retirement.
“This is Pal Mino’s 65th year and my 45th year. It’s time to retire,” Depiro said. He recently sold this business to 33 on MAC and plans to open there in early 2024.
From an early age, Depiro knew he wanted to work in the family business, which his father, Rocco Depiro Sr., and uncle, Joseph Depiro, started in 1958.
“I knew this was what I was going to do. I started working here when I was 12 years old,” Depiro said. “It was a family business. Things were starting to take off and I just wanted to be a part of it.”
Depiro remembers his father and uncle fondly.
“They were two men who were born to immigrant parents, grew up in the Great Depression, and served their country in World War II. They were employed by the railroad, but they were always fired.” he said. “They had great ideas and recipes and wanted to sell them.”
The brothers borrowed $500 from their older brother Frank and started a business at 13th Street and 16th Street.
Rocky became the owner of Pal Mino in 1978, named after his sister Pauline. The original store he closed in 2015. His current location, 2206 Seventh Avenue, was originally the New York Bakery, which opened in 1982. Pal Mino had several other stores. A long-standing local filming location.
Palmino has become an Altoona institution, Mayor Matt Pacifico said.
“I used to go there all the time. Rocky and his family have built a great business over the decades. It’s like an institution in Altoona,” Pacifico said.
Palmino became a gathering place after sports days.
“Neil (Rudel) brought all the celebrities and dignitaries here after the Hall of Fame dinner,” DePiro said.
“After the Hall of Fame dinner, I always took Stan Sablan with me. Stan always loved talking to Rocky,” said longtime friend Ted Beam. “Once you got to know him, he never forgot you. He wasn’t afraid to share his opinions. He was a very personable person.”
“George Paterno was here. Lots of sports figures. Judge D. Brooks Smith used to be a regular,” DePiro said. “We have nine lawyers who worked for us as their first jobs. Some went on to become successful doctors and businessmen. We always look forward to seeing them succeed. I was there.”
Pal-Mino’s offered a full menu, but its signature dish was pizza made with the family’s special recipe.
“It’s a really good pizza sauce. Our sauce doesn’t give you heartburn. It’s been around for 65 years, so it’s pretty good. We don’t use any preservatives. We follow the original sauce recipe. We have never changed or deviated from the fabric or fabric,” Depiro said. “Our dough recipe is simple and we make our dough fresh daily. …I’ve never had chain pizza that compares to our delicious independent pizza.”
Palmino’s customers were like family.
“Many of our customers are friends and like part of our family. It was a great environment,” said Patty, Rocky’s wife and longtime business partner.
Tom Eardley has been a customer for over 50 years.
“There was a great atmosphere. It was like the toast of Altoona, everyone knew everyone, and it was a great family-oriented place. It was a safe place to go and feel safe. It will be sorely missed.” said Ardley. “Rocky had a rough exterior, but he was a very kind and gentle man at heart. He was always a caring person. Rocky has been a very good friend for many years.”
Pal-Mino’s has many long-time employees, including Donna Cooney, who has been a manager for nearly 40 years, and Sylvia Foor, who has worked in the business for more than 40 years.
“He’s done a great job. That’s why I’ve stayed this long,” Cooney said.
A 1973 graduate of Altoona Area High School and a football player for legendary coach Ahl Strom, DePiro found time to give back through coaching despite his busy schedule.
He began coaching in the Altoona Parish League when he was 21 years old. He then ended up helping coach Bishop Guilfoyle’s freshman team. He was recommended by the late John Conlon, a rival coach in the parish league.
“He called me. We weren’t the best of friends when we coached each other…but he asked me to be his line coach,” DePiro said.
He then joined the Altoona staff under coach Ed Dalton.
“My friend Tom Busman introduced me to Dalton. I was hired at Altoona without applying. I was at Altoona from 1994 to 2003,” DePiro said. “We had some success. We beat Moeller in 1997 and it was an unbelievable night. After the game, this place was packed.”
“He was a great coach and took his coaching very seriously and worked hard on it. They became better people and better players under his guidance,” Bassman said.
Tom Palphy also met Depiro as a member of Dalton’s coaching staff.
“He was very intense. He was one of the best line coaches we’ve had here. He coached multiple all-state linemen and we had multiple 100-yard rushers.” said Parfay. “He’s very loyal. He loves Altoona football and takes great pride in the program and the business his father started.”
DePiro misses some aspects of coaching.
“I miss the games and the competition. I liked the camaraderie of the coaches, but it takes a lot of time. I wasn’t home much between work and coaching. My wife raised the kids. They’ve worked really hard on it. They’ve been very successful,” Depiro said.
It was a tough decision to sell the family business.
“It was an emotional decision. We have a lot of great memories here and we’re leaving that behind. We wanted to make sure it was done right. We wanted the transition to be smooth. ” said Patti Depiro.
“I saw my dad working so hard when he was still at the railroad and working here at night. I didn’t want to tarnish that legacy. He would be proud,” Rocky said. Depiro said.
Pacifico is pleased that Depiro can leave on his own accord.
“He was a solid business owner in the city of Altoona. … He was dedicated to serving the people of Altoona and Blair County, and it’s one of those places that people remember fondly,” Pacifico said.
Mirror Staff writer Walt Frank can be reached at 814-946-7467.
depirofile
Name: Rocco “Rocky” Depiro Jr.
Age: 68 years old
Education: 1973
Graduated from Altoona Regional High School
Position: Pal Mino Italian Village Owner
Family: Wife, Patti; son, Rocco III; and his daughter Andrea. 3 grandchildren
Quote: “People used to call us the Cheers of Altoona. You often see people sitting in the same seats.”