Wooster Square Cherry Blossoms

beginning to Bloom

Normally, this time of year brings hope, joy and springful giddiness of the upcoming summer.

However, with sadness, we lost a Wooster Square Icon.

Owner of Pepe's pizza on Wooster Street.

Gary Bimonte.

Gary was passionate about pizza, his Italian roots, his famous Grandpa, Frank Pepe. He always spoke of the simple, fresh ingredients cooked in their coal fired oven.

Gary leaves a hole in Wooster Square this season.

As if on cue, the day that Gary passed unexpectedly,

Wooster Square's Cherry Blossoms began to open.

As if Gary was looking down giving his warmth to the Square he loved. Blossoms started blooming right across from Iovanne Funeral home, where he will lay in rest on Monday, from 4-8pm.

Gary's funeral will be on Tuesday at 11:00 am at

St. Michael's church in Wooster Square. The Mass will be live streamed on the Iovanne website.

In Japan, Cherry Blossoms are a reminder of how beautiful life is, but how preciously short. We are reminded to take in all the beauty while it lasts.

Alas, Gary's passing was a gut punch to the whole Wooster Square Community. The face of Pepe's, gone in a blink of the eye. The whole Pizza community mourns.

Special thanks to my Deputy Blossom Bloggers, Linda-Cristal Young and Aparna Devershetty. Without their help, I couldn't bring you these updates!

(recovering from foot/ankle reconstruction.)

We will miss you Gary.

Here's some photos from this weekend!

First some from Deputy Blossom Blogger

Linda-Cristal Young