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Ciminieri, legendary Totonno's pizzaiolo, dead at 59

December 9, 2004

New York Daily News: Famed Coney Island pizzeria Totonno's is closed until next week because of the death of its owner's husband, Joel Ciminieri.

The 59-year-old pie maker died of complications from diabetes at Staten Island University Hospital Tuesday, his wife said.

"You can't imagine how much I miss him," said Louise Ciminieri, who married Joel 39 years ago. "We always worked together; he made the pizzas."

Opened by Louise Ciminieri's grandfather, Anthony Pero, in 1924, the tiny and determinedly unfashionable Neptune Ave. shop is plastered with old newspaper clippings, many about Totonno's.

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