Discover Waikumete Cemetery: Nicola Astrella - Ice Cream Manufacturer Extraordinaire

Nicola Astrella

Nicola Astrella was born 19th January 1871 in Viggiano, Basilicato Italy. A musical man, with a fondness for the harp (which was brought to New Zealand). He was also a modeller of plaster of Paris, an inventor and held patents for two inventions – an ice cream churn cover and a bedclothes fastener.

Emily Rosetta Webb (adopted Craig) was born 30th March 1877, in West Masterton. Her mother was Maud Elizabeth Webb who was born in London, England, came to New Zealand as an 18 year old and worked as a domestic servant.

Nicola and Emily met in Auckland, New Zealand and were married on the 1st of December 1894 at St David’s Church in Grafton. Nicola was 23 and Emily was 17.

Emily Rosetta Webb

Soon after their son Joseph was born in 1895, the family headed to Tasmania where three more children were born – Adelaide 1897, Venus 1899 and Gioseffina in 1901. Nicola had three siblings and his mother living in Tasmania.

The Astrellas returned to New Zealand and their son Salvadore was born in Invercargill 1902, Mars in Dunedin 1903, Orient in Christchurch 1904 and Angelo in Wellington in 1908. Yolanda, Stella, Yliva and Nicola Jnr were all born in Auckland in the years from 1910-1915. Sadly, Yliva died when she was only seven months old. Nicola and Emily adopted Adelaide’s daughter Doris Stella who was born in 1914.

The Astrella Sons

The Astrella Daughters

After becoming naturalised in 1908, Nicola settled with his family at 87 Lincoln St, Ponsonby in Auckland and set up what is thought to be Auckland’s first ice cream manufacturer. Producing ice cream by hand churn and selling from a hand cart in 1909, he soon set up a factory and had a thriving business.

Astrella's Ice Cream Carts

A three-way merger of Astrella Dominion Ice Cream Co., New Polar Ice Cream and Robinson Ice Cream Co.was proposed in July 1930. New Polar went into liquidation in September 1931 but the Astrella's brand continued on until at least 1939. Venus and Mars Astrella were involved in registering the Okay Ice Cream Co. Ltd in 1941.

Patent image for
ice cream churn cover

Patent image for Bed-clothes
Fastener

Nicola died on the 30th June 1937, aged 66, at Huia Private Hospital, Glen Eden. His cause of death was given as Pernicious Anaemia (B12 deficiency, damage to nerves and other organs) Stomach Cancer.

Emily passed away 10th February 1939, aged 62, in Auckland. Her cause of death was given as Toxaemia – days, Acute Cholangitis – weeks, Diabetes Melitius – years and Choledochotomy, cholecystic, gastrostomy for years. Sadly, her diabetes had also caused her to go blind.

Nicola and Emily are buried together in Roman Catholic Division C, Row 22, Plot 83, their baby Uliva (or Yliva) is buried in an unmarked grave in Roman Catholic Division C, Row 4, Plot 32. Their eldest son Joseph died in 1963 and is buried in Service Persons Area J, Row 2 Plot 30.

Salvadore died in 1984, Mars in 1985 and Angelo in 1991. Their ashes are scattered in Waikumete Cemetery.