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Frank Cassano at work at Villa Italian Bakery in Stouffville in the 19905. The shop closed this month. A member agency of United Way of York Region This message brouom to you as a commun service of Econoth Sun/Tribune The Stouffville residents gottheirtraining‘the bestway: their parents were bakers in a small town near Cosenza, Italy and they learned as they and Ross Cassano closed their Villa Italian Bakery on Edward Street have closed their doors for good. BY HANNELORE VOLPE Staff Writer After 28 years of getting up in the dead of night to start work at 2 or 3 am, Frank The Living Room is a program of the 0 Meet friends 0 Use a computer 0 See movies 0 Learn to cook 0 Receive supportive counselling - Find out about local services Call 905-201 -O432 Canadian Mental Health Association, York Region. and fun environment A safe, open A place in Markham for ‘ people ages 16 and up to: mun-tum mum Edward Street bakery was ‘a little part ofEarape’ The bakery has been a part of daily life for many people, including Stouflville resident Sharon Kozak-Holland who has gone there for about 16 years since she moved back to Canada. The bakery was a “little part of Europe" where she got a friendly smile, she said. ily visited the bakery. The bakery produced a wide variety of buns, breads, pastries and specialty cakes. Food Town, a small gro- cery store, became part of the business in 1991. The family also ran the Amaretto restaurant at the same location. It became “It is about time to retire,” Frank Cassano said. “It was getting too much for us.” helped out in the business. She remembers her chil- dren, as they were growing up, often receiving a free bun or other treat when the famâ€" ily visited the bakery. PHOTO COURTESY CASSANB FAMILY The Cassanos, including Frank, Ross, Michael, Rob- ert and Marco, got to know “(The bakery) used to supply about 40 golf courses, 20 restaurants and five or six banquet halls,” Franks son, Michael, said. famous for its Pasta Festival, where diners could choose the pasta, toppings and sauces they preferred and have it all cooked while they watched. Thhmouaoobrotmtoyou mammot NEW-TM Get more out of Volunteer to go to lunch and enhance a senior’s life â€" and yours! Call: 1-877-452-4287 CHATS life! While the Stoufl‘ville loca- tion has closed arid the prop- erty sold, a younger genera~ tion, Frank’s son, Robert, is their long-time customers, running the Annina Bake who often “became friends", Shop and Cafe in Goodwood, Frank Cassano said. along with long-time pastry While the Stouffville loca- chef David Wilcox Know an outstanding resident that gives of their time to make our community a better place? Tell The Sunâ€"Tribune why they should be honoured Include supporting material and testimonials. Label nominations “Citizen of Year” and mail/deliver to: 6290 Main St., Stouffville, L4A 1G7 or e-mail: stouffvilleawards@yrmg.com by June 15. Award to be presented during Strawberry Festival, June 25 to June 29. For more information call: Jim Mason at 905-640-2612 Simi'fii'fi'ibune Stoujfville Sunâ€"'I'ribune I Saturday, May I 7, 2008 Slouflifille The Cassanos have owned the shop for a number of years. ’isa