Giovanni Graziani, Co-Owner of Caffe Graziani in Salem, Passes Away Due to COVID-19 Related Causes

One of the owners of a beloved North Shore restaurant that closed its doors a few years ago has died from complications due to the cornonavirus.

According to an article in The Salem News, Giovanni Graziani passed away last week at the age of 72, with his wife Paula--who ran Caffe Graziani in Salem with her husband for more than 25 years--saying that "Giovanni had never been in the hospital in his life....He was blessed with good health. That's why it's so shocking to us that he wasn't able to fight this off. For whatever reason, this virus just ravaged him, it really did." Giovanni and Paula first opened Caffe Graziani on Washington Street back in 1991, with the eatery being a popular local spot until the couple retired in 2017. Mayor Kim Driscoll reflects on how the Grazianis have been such an integral part of the community, mentioning that "There were families that literally grew up there....My kids grew up eating there. We went there every Sunday after Mass for breakfast. You walked into the place and saw Paula bussing tables and Giovanni in the back, always smiling, always giving you the wave. The food was terrific and the company was even better."

Paula, who also became sick in early April but wasn't able to get tested at the time due to the lack of testing back then, praises the workers at Mass General Hospital and she also mentions how much she appreciates how the people of Salem have reached out, saying that "I always knew Giovanni was loved and respected in the community....But the outpouring of love is something we can hold on to for a long time."

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

Posted in: Dining Spots