By Alesha Capone
People holding coffee cups gathered in Watton Street to honour Werribee icon Mario Pepi earlier this month.
A funeral for Mario, who spent 45 years working at menwear shops in Werribee’s CBD, was held on June 11.
Mario’s son, Adam Pepi, said that his dad was known to many locals for standing on Watton Street with a cigarette and coffee, as he chatted to people passing by.
Adam said that because pandemic restrictions limited the number of attendees allowed at Mario’s funeral, people including ex-councillors, local business people and his father’s customers lined Watton Street with coffee cups as the hearse drove by.
Former Wyndham mayor Shane Bourke, who conducted Mario’s funeral, also posted a tribute to him on Facebook.
Several people commented on the post, describing Mario as a “Werribee legend”, “a true gentleman” and a “wonderful, kind man”.
Mario, aged 70, passed away from brain cancer.
Adam said his father started working at Rushfords in 1974, and later worked at Jaycees, Streetscene, Limelight and Sires.
“He was a very, very hard worker, he hardly ever took a day off – he just loved what he did,” Adam said.
“People from all walks of life, it didn’t matter who you were, struggling or a high-flyer, he made everyone feel welcome and at ease.
“Everyone has said he was very generous, always looked after his customers and always had a smile on his face.”
Adam said his father’s stores were communal places, where many would pop in to say hello.
Out the back of the shops, people would gather to have coffee.
Mario, a passionate golfer, would practice his putting between customers.
Outside of business hours, Mario would take racks of clothing out to Werribee South farms and car yards for clients to try on.
“If you could not make it into the shop before 5pm, he would take the shop on the road to you,” Adam said.
Adam said that his family, including his sister Nadine and mother Pamela, were grateful for the condolences and sentiments which many people have sent them following Mario’s death.
