Restaurateur Peter B. Pagano Sr. dies at 83, ran Original House of Pagano in West Philly
He was headed for a career in medicine when he got wind of a hole-in-the-wall pizza parlor for sale in University City.With $6,000 from his father, he created a landmark Italian eatery that lasted almost three decades..
Peter B. Pagano Sr., 83, of Broomall, proprietor of the Original House of Pagano, a landmark Italian restaurant in West Philadelphia for almost three decades, died Saturday, April 22, of kidney failure at Lankenau Medical Center.
In 1955, Mr. Pagano was in his senior year at La Salle College, headed for a career in medicine, when he heard of an opportunity to buy a "hole-in-the-wall" pizza parlor at 36th and Walnut Streets. "He was intrigued," said his son, Peter Jr., "and got the guy's number."
With a business plan for a restaurant in hand, Mr. Pagano approached his father, Charles, who readily assented, purchasing the building with a $6,000 loan. Mr. Pagano, his father, and Mr. Pagano's younger brother, Theodore, created an Italian restaurant that was fondly remembered by generations of city diners, as well as students at the University of Pennsylvania and their parents.
The restaurant was initially at 3614 Walnut, but moved just doors away to 3633. In 1974, it relocated to 38th and Chestnut Streets. At its height, the eatery attracted the famous and not-so-famous "out for a good plate of veal parmigiana," the Inquirer reported.
The restaurant, which seated almost 1,000 and had banquet space for 500, was in operation until 1982, after which the property was rented out to numerous unrelated businesses.
An online site that still markets T-shirts with the eatery's logo called the restaurant "a legend on Penn's campus for decades, and a pretty good place to catch visiting sports stars and celebrities back in the day."
Its claim to fame was pizza, but it also was known for its broasted chicken and shrimp, as well as "all the great Italian dishes," a flier said.
When the time came for Mr. Pagano to retire in the 1980s, he dreaded being inactive, so he found an outlet by driving a school bus for the Lower Merion School District. He retired for good in 2005 after 17 years behind the wheel.
"His unique character and wit was loved by everyone, and his students were no exception," his family said. "The gifts and cards he received from his students will always remain a treasure in his home."
Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Pagano graduated from high school, but never completed college. He married Amelia "Millie" Pagano in 1955, and the couple had four children. When not in the restaurant, he enjoyed watching sports, and playing baseball and half-ball on the side yard of his home with family and neighbors.
In 2005, Mr. Pagano suffered a heart attack, but he stayed vigorous until the last two years, when he faced kidney dialysis.
Besides his wife, son, and brother, he is survived by children Charles, Karen Pagano Cedrone, and Cheryl Jacobs; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A viewing from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at the Pagano Funeral Home, 3711 Foulk Rd., Garnet Valley, and a second viewing from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, April 28, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 430 Valleybrook Rd., Glen Mills, will be followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Entombment will be in SS. Peter and Paul Mausoleum, Marple Township.
Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation via www.kidney.org.