Huge loss: Tributes flow for Albany entrepreneur Paul Lionetti after his shock death at the age of 69

Albany entrepreneur Paul Lionetti arrived from Italy “with a suitcase half-full of nothing and half-full of dreams” and built a towering legacy for his family and the city he loved. Tributes are flowing for Mr Lionetti, the most prominent business owner in the Great Southern, after his shock death in Albany on Tuesday. It is understood emergency services were called to a business premises in Albany on Tuesday evening. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, with police to prepare a report for the Coroner. City of Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said his friend and former fellow councillor was a “legend in his own lifetime”. “He was a leader of the community and he did so much for Albany,” Mr Wellington said. “Albany’s going to struggle for a while with this news.” Mr Lionetti’s rise to prominence was a rags-to-riches story, driven by a determination to provide for his family and his city. He started with a single deli and built an empire, amassing a significant real estate and business portfolio which included two supermarkets and the city’s biggest hospitality venue, Due South. His crowning achievement was the Hilton Garden Inn, a $27 million 108-room waterfront hotel which opened in November last year. Speaking to the Advertiser after his grandchildren cut the ribbon at the hotel opening in November, Mr Lionetti spoke candidly about his motivations. “I came from Italy with nothing,” he said. “I had a suitcase half-full of nothing and half-full of dreams, and it has been my whole life’s dream to achieve these things because mum and dad came over here with nothing. “I just love creating. We have so many opportunities and I could invest everywhere else but I love Albany. “I want this to be a legacy for my kids. I want it to be a future for my kids. “I am a very simple person. I love my family, I love my kids and I love the business and I love Albany more than anything.” Mr Lionetti was looking forward to overseeing a second stage of the hotel which would more than double its capacity. He also had plans to build a medical centre and daycare centres in Albany, according to Mr Wellington. “He was only 69 years of age and he had a lot more to give,” Mr Wellington said. “He was the motivator in a hell of a lot things and he knew how to get things done. “It’s up to us to continue on his work.” Reflecting on the popularity of his late friend of 30 years, Mr Wellington said many people knew him because he had given teenagers their first job. “I think the fact that over 1000 kids got their first job through his supermarkets just permeates through a lot of families. “He was a hard taskmaster but he was always in there stacking shelves himself and he taught them how the real world works.” One of those people who worked in a Lionetti supermarket in their teens was Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens. Ms Stephens expressed her condolences to Mr Lionetti’s wife Sarina, children Lorella and Steve and the entire family. “’The baked beans seller’, as he often referred to himself, will be remembered for his many achievements and contributions to building Albany to what it is today, along with his passion for giving back and supporting our community,” Ms Stephens said. “I will cherish Paul’s loyalty and support to me and my family over many years. “Both my sister and I worked for him at IGA when we were teenagers. “He came to every significant birthday and since being elected as the Member for Albany he has continued to support, mentor and inspire me. “His family was his greatest love.” Ms Stephens’ predecessor, Peter Watson, became friends with Mr Lionetti during his 21-year tenure as the Member for Albany. “Watto” was sitting in a cafe in Lancelin on Wednesday when someone else from Albany spotted him and gave him the sad news. “He always had ideas for Albany and he generally had the clout to get them done,” Mr Watson said. “I’d say he was a visionary. “It’s a very sad day. I think it’s going to be a huge loss and it will take a while for Albany to get over it.” Mr Watson admitted to having the odd disagreement with Mr Lionetti over the years, but he said they had always “kissed and made up”. “We both had the interests of Albany at heart,” Mr Watson said. “I don’t think people in Albany know how much he gave to the community. “I’d find out just by talking to people who had been through hard times, and they would tell me how Paul helped them.” One of Mr Lionetti’s closest business partners was Wellington and Reeves director Barry Panizza. While Mr Panizza is a successful person in his own right, he said he learned a lot from his visionary friend. “He was always thinking outside the box and coming up with new ideas,” he said. “He certainly gave me inspiration and at times actually dragged me along.” Mr Panizza said he could not think of anyone who had contributed as much to Albany. “He helped so many people throughout the community no matter what their connection was with him,” he said. “It’s a huge loss to Albany but a bigger loss to his family and friends.”