Owner Of Chestnut Hill's Frank Pepe Pizzeria Dies

CHESTNUT HILL, MA — Gary Bimonte, the owner of Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana died Wednesday, he was 61.

"It is with deep and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our brother, Gary Bimonte," a statement from the restaurant reads. "Gary was a wonderful brother, son, uncle, and friend to so many, and he was loved by all of us."

Bimonte's family told WSFB he was diagnosed with a heart attack.

The popular pizza spot opened in 2015 at the Mall at Chestnut Hill (now called the Shops at Chestnut Hill) and is one of three in Massachusetts. The New Haven, Conn.-based pizzeria nearly a dozen locations across New England.

It was founded in 1925 by Italian immigrant Frank Pepe, whose daughters and then eventually his grandson Bimonte, took over the business in 1975, according to his LinkedIn account.

He worked there for the past 45 years.

TIME Magazine hailed the chain that specializes in coal-fired, brick oven pizza, as one of "the 13 most influential pizzas of all time." Frank Pepe's pizza has also been No. 1 on the Daily Meal's "Best Pizza in America" list.

"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," the company said. "He truly loved and cherished our family's history, and he was so proud of the legacy that has carried through all these years."