SALVATORE BARBATI, 75 Co-owned famed eatery Thursday, August 09, 2007
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Salvatore Barbati, 75, of Sunnyside, co-owner of L&B Spumoni Gardens, the well-known pizzeria and Italian restaurant in Brooklyn, died yesterday in Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton.
"He was the most honest, generous, loving person that we know. He will be missed. There was nothing fake about him," said his stepdaughter, Kelly Ann Taranto-McMahon.
Mr. Barbati, who owned Spumoni with his brother Louis and his late brother Carmine, was the quietest of the three business partners. He simply went about his work and evaded the limelight, aiming to please his customers and nothing more.
"If they asked who the owner was, he would say 'He's not here.' " said his companion, Anne Taranto.
"He just loved what he did, he put his heart and soul into what he did," Ms. Taranto continued.
Mr. Barbati played an integral part in giving Spumoni Gardens its reputation, but always kept a low profile. When the restaurant was featured on the Food Network, he maintained his post behind the counter, making pizzas.
"They once wanted to do an interview with him about how they made the pizzas, but that just wasn't him. He didn't like the spotlight," said Ms. Taranto.
He left the pizzeria for a few years to serve his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. He was discharged as a corporal.
Mr. Barbati was an avid golfer and bowler. He had rolled a 300 game and made two holes-in-one.
He also loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.
His wife, Rose Barbati, died in 1974, after 20 years of marriage.
In addition to his stepdaughter, brother and companion, Mr. Barbati is survived by his two sons, Ronald and Michael Barbati; his stepson, James Taranto; his sister, Anna DiBenedetto; and six grandchildren.
The funeral will be Saturday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, Tompkinsville. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.
Don Cardi
Five - ten years from now, they're gonna wish there was American Cosa Nostra. Five - ten years from now, they're gonna miss John Gotti.
