BIMONTE, GARY JOSEPH

Gary Joseph Bimonte of Wallingford died suddenly on April 7, 2021 at MidState Hospital in Meriden. Born in New Haven on December 7, 1959, Gary was a co-owner and proudly worked alongside his family at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, which was founded in 1925 by his grandparents Francesco Pepe and Filomena Volpe Pepe. Gary was very proud of his Italian heritage and loved sharing stories about the business and being a part of his family’s legacy. A big smile would come across his face when he spoke of his grandfather’s commitment to his work ethic, the importance of consistently using quality ingredients and always being thankful for his customers and his community. The love and enjoyment he had working side by side with his sisters and cousins made it a true family experience. Gary especially enjoyed seeing old friends and making new ones whenever anyone came into the restaurant. For Gary this was not a job, it was his passion.

Gary was a collector of historical and toy memorabilia. He loved fast cars and his big pickup truck. He was a member of the Doo Wop Cruisers Car Club and the Blood, Sweat and Gears Car Club and participated in many local car shows. He was also a member of the Order of Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, the Wallingford Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus in North Haven as well being a former member of the Wallingford Rod and Gun Club. He loved feeding wildlife and could often be found buying bags of corn to feed the deer, and always enjoyed his yearly trip to Aruba. Gary was a kind, hardworking and generous man who did everything with his heart and a great big smile and had no shame in telling you that he loved you!

He was a loving brother to Bernadette Bimonte-Hackett, Genevieve Beth Bimonte (Cesar Flores) and Jennifer Josepha Kelly (Jim); proud uncle of Christina Nicola Bimonte, William Cody Hayes and the late Serafina Kinnare. He is also survived by his cousins Lisa Cusano, Francis and Anthony Rosselli and his “fur baby” Trixie. Gary was predeceased by his mother Serafina “Sera” Lucy Pepe DeMusis, his stepfather Dominic DeMusis and his brother-in-law Daniel Hackett. He is also survived by several great nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be Monday from 4-8pm in the Funeral Home, Inc. 11 Wooster Place, New Haven. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday morning at 11am in St. Michael Church. There is a maximum capacity in Church of 100 people, and this will be strictly adhered to. The family prefers that you watch the livestream of Gary’s Mass. Burial will be private. Masks and social distancing will be required at all services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Connecticut Food Bank www.ctfoodbank.org, or the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter www. branford-ct.gov/departments/animal-shelter. Share a memory, sign the guest book and view the livestream of Gary’s funeral mass at www.iovanne.com.