Our History

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Biography of Our Founder – Anthony T. Rossi

​“Uncle Nino” – A Man of Faith, Vision, and Generosity

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Timeline Highlights:

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• 1900: Born in Messina, Sicily, Italy

• 1921: Immigrated to New York City

• 1934: Married Florence Stark

• 1947: Founded Tropicana Products, Inc. in Bradenton, Florida

• 1952: Widowed after Florence’s passing

• 1959: Married Sanna Barlow

• 1978: Sold Tropicana to Beatrice Foods, Inc.

• 1981: Founded Bradenton Missionary Village and Bible Alliance

• 1993: Went to be with the Lord

 

Anthony T. Rossi, affectionately known as “Uncle Nino,” was born in 1900 in Messina, Sicily—the fourth of nine children.

 

At just 21, he set sail for America with no money, no fear, and one big dream. Arriving in New York City, he encountered a Bible in a public library—a book he had never been allowed to read during his Catholic upbringing in Italy. That moment changed his life. Immersed in the Word of God, Anthony came to salvation in Jesus Christ.

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His early years in the U.S. were marked by perseverance through several successful, as well as failed, business ventures. But in 1947, in Bradenton, Florida, he founded Tropicana Products, Inc., a company that would go on to revolutionize the juice industry with innovations in refrigeration and distribution.

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In 1978, Anthony sold Tropicana to Beatrice Foods. Rather than retire to a life of ease, he saw the sale as a divine opportunity. “It was God’s way of getting me out from under corporate duties,” he said, “and allowing me more time to work directly for Him.” With that freedom, he pursued his long-held dream—founding a retirement community for Christian missionaries. That vision became reality in 1981 with the establishment of Bradenton Missionary Village (now known as il Villaggio).

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Though his business achievements were great, Anthony never wanted to be remembered for success or wealth. He once humbly said,

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“We are here to please the Lord. We don’t try to please man. We try to get along with man in the best way possible—to love one another—but not to be better than anyone else. Pride is a sin.”

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Those who knew Anthony Rossi remember his deep faith, generous spirit, and the contagious joy of his hearty, unforgettable laugh. His legacy lives on—not just in what he built, but in the countless lives he touched through his unwavering devotion to Christ.​

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