Obit stirs memories of good food and better friends

The obituary in the Beacon Journal for Shirley Gareri, widow of one-time Gareri Spaghetti House owner Aurelio "Albert" Gareri, caused pleasing thoughts to drift through my brain. Gareri's, for those who haven't been around long enough, was a restaurant on South Main Street at Exchange. Since it was only a block from the BJ, many of us went there for lunch or dinner, at least through the 1970s.

I found an August 2005 BJ Alums item that detailed, with photos, a 1977 farewell party for Ann Moritz, former assistant editor in the Metro and Lifestyle departments, who was leaving for the Boston Globe. The late Pat Englehart, who previously was the legendary State Desk editor, was identified in the photo as the Projects Editor. Harry, who had gone from assistant State Desk editor to assistant Metro Editor by then; reporter John Dunphy, currently with the Orange County (California) Register; and Don Bandy, rewrite man superb who is living out his retirement in Bradenton, Florida, also were in the photo.

I relished Gareri's spaghetti and meatballs. I have even fonder memories of Harry Liggett and I ringing out the old year and ringing in the new during our New Year's Eve work break with a beer (me) and a boilermaker (Harry), who dropped his filled shot glass into his beer. It was an annual ritual.

Just some food for thought.

Click on the headline for Mrs. Gareri's obituary.

If you want to add your memories of Gareri's, click on "Comments" and type away. Share your recall plate with the rest of us.