STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Gennaro “Jerry” Chiarello, the beloved owner of Pizza Town/Gennaro’s who served the Staten Island community for nearly five decades, died peacefully on Sept. 10 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. He was 82.
Born in Scala Coeli, Italy, on May 13, 1943, Chiarello became a fixture in the New Dorp area, where his pizzeria served as what one longtime friend called “the center of the universe for the neighborhood.”
“Jerry was the neighborhood,” said Frank Wilkinson, whose family had a strong friendship as well as business ties with Chiarello dating back to the 1970s. “I called him the patriarch of New York. He cemented himself in the community. Everybody knew who Jerry was and loved him.”
Chiarello owned Pizza Town/Gennaro’s for more than 49 years, becoming known for his legendary Puttanesca sauce, pizzas, calzones and zeppoles.
He established Pizza Town USA in October 1969. The parlor closed on May 31, 2018.
In 2000, he took over the concession and pizzeria at Rab’s Country Lanes, operating as Gennaro’s for about 20 years.
Wilkinson, who knew Chiarello since childhood, remembered him as someone who gave opportunities to countless neighborhood teenagers. “If you ever walked into that pizzeria, every teenager in the neighborhood worked there at some point,” Frank said. “He was a kind, gentle soul—never said no to anybody. He would do anything for everyone.”
Chiarello never retired, continuing to work behind the counter until his later years. Regulars saw him daily and knew he had built something special.
After the pandemic, Chiarello’s wife Maria became ill, prompting the family to move to Florida with their son Angelo.
Pizza Town Legacy
Gennaro Chiarello’s legacy on Staten Island began in 1969 at the corner of New Dorp Lane and Hylan Boulevard, where he and his wife Maria transformed the former Pizza Clown into Pizza Town USA. Known for its consistent calzones, hot heroes, and signature pizza, the business became a beloved neighborhood staple.
In 1980, Chiarello built a new, larger restaurant—Gennaro’s Restaurant and Pizzeria—featuring a casual dining area and a separate room for private events. Over the decades, it became a community hub, serving generations of East Shore residents.
Chiarello was known not only for his food but also for his generosity and presence behind the counter. He gave countless young Staten Islanders their first jobs and made every customer feel valued. His restaurants were more than places to eat—they were centers of neighborhood life.
Beyond his restaurant, Chiarello was an avid sports fan who cheered for all New York teams and was active in local bowling leagues. He also had musical talents, playing the organ in church during his youth and singing whenever the opportunity arose.
Chiarello is survived by his wife Maria; children Rosa, Angelo and Jennifer; son-in-law Sal; grandchildren Raquel, Joseph, Isabella and Christopher; and siblings Mary, Assunta, Joanne and Charlie.
“Anyone who knew him knew he was a gentleman,” Frank said.
A Funeral Mass for Gennaro Chiarello will be held on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, at 9:15 a.m. at St. Charles Church, 200 Penn Avenue, Staten Island. Funeral arrangements were handled by Colonial Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 361 Sharrott Avenue, at 10:30 a.m.