Co-owner of Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Gary Bimonte, has passed away
Gary Bimonte and boxer Tramaine Williams at a food event for schoolchildren set up by Taste of New Haven. Bimonte, of the Frank Pepe’s pizza dynasty, died this week. (Courtesy of Colin Caplan and the Hartford Courant.)
April 9, 2021
The co-owner of the beloved Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Gary Bimonte, passed away on Wednesday, April 7th. His family stated that he died due to a heart attack.
Although Bimonte is not the original founder of Frank Pepes, he is a third generation co-owner of the landmark restaurant. New Haven’s Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana had posted a brief statement on its website Thursday morning announcing Bimonte’s death, stating that the restaurant would be closed for the day. In addition, the Restaurant will be closed on April 12th and 13th to continue to honor Bimonte.
On the restaurant website it’s written that “Gary was the pride and joy of the Pepe’s family, and there are no words to express the immense void that his passing has left in our hearts. He truly loved and cherished our family’s history, and he was so proud of the legacy that has carried through all these years. Gary was incredibly grateful for all of the happiness that our family brought to so many people through our love of pizza, and he really embodied the heritage and tradition that Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is known for today. He will be terribly missed by so many people.”
The Providence Journal reported that Bimonte was the youngest grandson of Frank Pepe, whose pizza shop on Wooster Street in New Haven opened in 1925.
The famous restaurant is still a staple of the New Haven dining scene. Frank Pepes is a must have when coming to New Haven and is considered one of the three New Haven Pizzerias with Sallys and Modern. Bimonte’s passing has truly impacted the community and Q30 sends our condolences to his family.
