In Honor of Frank - The Story and Farewell Announcement of Gino's Pizza of Williston Park

By: Frank Speciale, Josephine Speciale, Gerry Speciale & Giovanni Speciale

The Speciale Family

Gino’s Pizza of Williston Park

Est. 1979 – 2026

THE STORY: Where It All Began

In 1979, our father Frank and our mother Josephine opened the doors of a small pizzeria on Willis Avenue in the Village of Williston Park with one simple intention — to build something honest for their family.

They weren’t trying to create a landmark. They weren’t chasing success or recognition. They just wanted to make good pizza, serve people with care, and do something meaningful together.

Back then, it was just pizza, soup, a few tables, one oven, and a lot of hope. What they did have was heart — and a community that welcomed them with open arms.

From dough to memories, every slice told a story.

What began as a simple pizzeria slowly grew into something far greater than food. It became tradition. It became routine. It became part of everyday life. Over the years, the ovens stayed hot, the doors stayed open, and the shop filled with familiar faces. Kids stopping in after school. Families sitting down together. Friends meeting over slices. Generations passing through one doorway.

For decades, these walls held laughter, hard work, and community. The smell of dough rising in the morning. The sound of plates clinking at night. It wasn’t just where pizza was made — it became home.

Frank gave 47 years of his life to this place, with Josephine by his side from the very beginning. And alongside them, we — their sons, Gerry and Giovanni — were proud to be part of it. Working together as a family, learning from them, and sharing something that grew far beyond what any of us imagined.

This was never just a business. It was our family’s life - our days, our nights, our memories, our home.

THE COMMUNITY: The Heart & Soul

There was something special about this place that you felt the moment you walked in.

It was the kind of place where people didn’t just know the owner — they knew each other. Where someone would walk through the door and hear, “Oh wow, you’re here?” Where familiar faces turned into conversations, and conversations turned into friendships.

It was a place where everybody knew your name — and in our father’s case, he truly did.

Frank remembered faces. He remembered names. He remembered orders, families, and stories. He watched grandparents bring in their grandchildren — and years later, watched those same kids walk back in with children of their own. He never forgot a face, because he genuinely cared about the people behind it.

There were things never written on a menu that made this place what it was: the smiles, the laughter, the conversations that lasted longer than meals, the familiar hellos that felt like family. The comfort of walking in and knowing you belonged.

This community gave life to this pizzeria.

We were blessed to serve the Village of Williston Park through the highs and the lows. When Hurricane Sandy hit and things were dark, this community came together like family. During COVID, when the world felt uncertain, we found ways to keep feeding one another — not because it was easy, but because it was right. Through it all, you showed up for us, and we always tried to show up for you.

Giving back was never an obligation — it was an honor. Schools. Sports teams. Street fairs. Fundraisers. Quiet moments when help was needed. What this community gave to us, we tried to return with gratitude and heart.

We also want to share something openly and respectfully. Along the way, there were questions and speculation. Our intention was never to mislead — only to protect our family, our staff, our customers, and the future of this place. We believe the community deserves clarity served with care, rather than rumors.

Thank you for understanding that this came from love and responsibility—never distance.

OUR GOODBYE: With Love & Gratitude

Saying goodbye to something that shaped your life is one of the hardest things you can do.

Frank truly loved doing this for 47 years. And we — Gerry and Giovanni — loved doing it alongside him. Working together as a family, serving a community we cared deeply about, and sharing something that gave our lives purpose and meaning.

To our staff — you were never just staff to us. Over the years, we became a family. Through shared days, shared moments, and shared pride, you stood beside us and helped make this place what it was. We cannot begin to express how grateful we are for you.

To our customers, neighbors, and friends — thank you for trusting us, supporting us, and allowing us to be part of your lives. This place belonged to the community as much as it ever belonged to us. Until February 22, 2026, our doors remain open. We will be honored to continue serving the community we love.

We wish we could have made it to the 50-year mark. What we built over these 47 years is something we are truly proud of and grateful for.

As they say, nothing lasts forever. The memories that we have made here and the community that made them possible will last a lifetime, and we are sincerely grateful for them.

As the ovens cool and the lights dim, our hearts stay full — grateful for every shared meal, every conversation, every laugh, and every moment that turned strangers into friends.

We are proud to pass the torch to someone we trust, Enzo's Pizzeria of Garden City, and we hope you will welcome the next chapter with the same warmth and kindness you showed our parents all those years ago.

This place will always be home to us. From our family to yours — thank you for 47 unforgettable years. Though this chapter comes to a close, what it gave us will always remain.

Every slice had a story. Thank you for being part of ours.