Salem Coronavirus: Officials Remember Restaurant Owner

SALEM, MA — A popular Salem restaurant owner and chef died Friday at Massachusetts General Hospital after contracting COVID-19.

Giovanni Graziani, 72, retired three years ago after running Caffe Graziani for 26 years with his wife, Paula. News of his death brought an outpouring of memories from Salem residents.

"I really don't have words to describe how saddened I am by the passing of Giovanni - who was so warm hearted and easy going," Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said in a Facebook post. "He was a fantastic chef, so good that many a time, I would tell Paula 'just surprise me', as I knew anything that Giovanni prepared would be terrific. The trick was always remembering what it was for the next time I was in!"

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Ward 5 City Councilor Josh Turiel, in his own Facebook post, called the husband-and-wife restaurateurs "the glue that held Salem together."

When "they retired it was a huge loss for our downtown. I'm so sad to hear of Giovanni's passing and it leaves a hole the size of a small city," Turiel said. "I'm even sadder that they didn't have the years they deserved to really enjoy their retirement and the love of their kids and grandkids."

The couple was married for 32 years and had two sons. Giovanni Graziani, of East Boston, was born and lived in Piglio, Italy before moving to the U.S.

Read the complete obituary on the Ruggiero Family Memorrial Home Website.

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Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).