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Cup and Saucer owners step in to help amid tragedy
It seemed pretty simple for Bridget and Albert Coccia back in January - they'd just opened their own breakfast/lunch nook, The Cup and Saucer (743 S. Eighth St.). Then, one morning, about two weeks ago, a sign appeared on the door of C&S that informed customers they were closed for a "death in the family."
Cup and Saucer owners step in to help amid tragedy
It seemed pretty simple for Bridget and Albert Coccia back in January. The couple, married 21 years, worked together at Albert's family's Frankie's Seafood Italiano and had just opened their own breakfast/lunch nook, The Cup and Saucer (743 S. Eighth St.). The banner was raised, the menu finished. Then, one morning, about two weeks ago, a sign appeared on the door of C&S that informed customers they were closed for a "death in the family." Seemed a shame that they had to deal with such tragedy after so soon after launching a new business.
We didn't know just how deep the tragedy ran until the owners, who have since reopened their café, sent out a note detailing the loss: It was Albert's 24-year-old niece, Tiffany Gillespie, who was killed in the basement of a home on Mildred Street. Gillespie, a mother of two, allegedly told Aaron Fitzpatrick, 19, that she was pregnant with his child, and he allegedly shot her out of anger. She was pronounced dead on the scene. Fitzpatrick was arrested, charged with murder, murdering an unborn child and weapons violations.
The note in full:
As many of you know on Feb 17, my niece (Tiffany Gillespie) was senselessly murdered in the basement of her home. The animal who committed this crime has since been arrested. He shot her while her 8 year old son sat upstairs and heard the shot, walked past him like any other day and walked out of the house. Tiffany left behind a beautiful 3 year old daughter and 8 year old son. Tif and I weren't the closest in life, however on Friday night I was called down to DHS and given the ultimatum that either I take the children to live with me or I allow them to be separated and placed in foster homes around Philadelphia. I of course never thought twice I signed and took the children home with me. I currently have a 19 year old and 14 year old son so we weren't sure how well this was going to go over, However, my sons have fallen in love with both children, my house is alive with youth and yelling and juice boxes and Barney once again and we couldn't be happier. In life my niece drove me crazy almost everyday "lol" but no one in all my life has ever given me anything so special as the 2 children that she left me with......Tiffany wherever you are I couldn't thank you enough and I promise to be the best Dad and Mom we can to your children and they will always know you..... I promise.
Albert and Bridget have officially taken custody of the two children and are all living in Jersey as one big family. "They lived such a hard life and saw so much at such an early age I couldn't let them suffer any further," he says. "Anything you guys can do will help." The help he's talking about: a fund set up in the childrens' name through PayPal for essentials. The restaurant owners suddenly have a few more mouths to feed.
Photo: tcscafe.com
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