What was Graham Avenue like in 1979? Gaetano Gangone could tell you. It was there and then that he became the owner of Ray’s Pizza, which is Carmine’s and Sons in the present day. Carmine of Carmine’s is Carmine Gangone, Gaetano’s son.
To Carmine, his father is, “My hero and my #1 pizza guy,” as he attested to on Instagram. This sentiment is evident in Carmine’s choice to carry on the family business when he took it over in 1992. His father taught him the lessons learned from his own journey.
Gaetano learned to be a baker in his native land of Italy. Connecting to people with food became his vocation. Later he would move to Venezuela and work as a baker. In 1969, he moved to America and worked in local bakeries and pizzarias. Here he found his home. With the support of his loving wife, Saveria, they raised their family and grew a business in Williamsburg.
Customers of Ray’s Pizza have warm memories of Gaetano. The generosity, comfort, and care he gave them made them feel welcomed.
He will be remembered fondly and sorely missed by many people including: his children, Elena Gagliardi and Carmine Gangone; and his grandchildren, Joseph Gagliardi, Erica Gagliardi, Carmine Gangone, and Vincent Gangone.
The Greenline 