Philip Meli 09/08/1929-05/17/2021 Philip (Philly, Hon, Daddy, Fillutzo, Pop, Pop-Pop) Meli was born, at home, in Palermo, Sicily on September 8, 1929. He and his parents immigrated to the Lower East Side, where his brothers Angelo and Frankie were born. For several decades, his family owned and operated FOCACCERIA AT 192 First Ave. Along with many other Siciian immigrants, he and his brothers used all of Manhattan (and sometimes The Bronx and Brooklyn) as their giant playground. Phil discovered the allure of boxing at the Boys Club on East 10th Street, and sparred with Rocky Graziano while also working at the family restaurant. At the restaurant (which was always referred to as The Store, he also battled his arch nemesis, GRATED CHEESE, on a daily basis. In early 1959, Phil eyed a pair of long legs buying Fava Beans on 1st Avenue, after 5 month whirlwind courtship, Phil eloped with Marie Barragatto, an uptown girl from 14th Street, in May of that year. Soon thereafter, they had 3 children, Marie Grace, Jesse and Charles, followed by son in law, Stephen and daughter in law, Annette. The extended family bubble blossomed. Once his children married, Phil identified his true life’s passion, grandfather, and changed his name to Pop Pop, with the birth of Dominic, Stevie, and Charlianne. The extended family increased further with the addition of grand spouses, Annette, and Martika. Recently, Pop Pop redefined his true life passion as Great Pop Pop with the addition of baby Serafina Grace. Remarkably, while in his 60’s, Phil changed careers and became a school bus driver. Nothing was cuter than daddy in his bus driver uniform. He drove those kids all over Brooklyn, and had a blast. He retired at 75, and was inseparable from his soulmate, 24/7, for the next 16 years. Marie and Phil were married for an astounding 62 years. The words that best describe Philly are: Family, Loyalty, Stubbornness, and Raconteur...no one told a better story than Pop. No one told a joke worse than Pop - but anyone who ever heard him tell a story would laugh their asses off. All of his stories were the absolute truth and hilarious. And he never got tired of sharing them. Phil was and will always be adored by many, and will certainly be missed….but his stories, passed onto his loved ones, will keep his spirit alive forever…..