Giovanni was born in Monti Di Procida, Napoli, Campania, Italy on June 16th,1949 to the late Vittorio and Filomena Pittari. He was the oldest of three children, at a young age the family moved to Argentina until Giovanni went on the adventure of a lifetime and traveled to the United States in his early 20’s! It was there that he met the love of his life in Brooklyn, NY. She was from the same small town in Italy, and they met thousands of miles away from their hometown, it was meant to be.
Giovanni and his bride started a new life in Raleigh, NC where they opened up the famous Schiano’s Pizza in Crabtree Valley Mall in the late 70’s. He went on to have multiple restaurants in Lynchburg VA, Danville, VA, Cary, NC, Apex, NC, Atlantic Beach and Wake Forest, NC. He built a successful business and wonderful legacy for his family. Giovanni is best known for his passion and intensity in all aspects of his life. He was an amazingly hard worker, and in true Frank Sinatra fashion, he did it “His Way”.
He is survived by his wife Melanina “Nina” Pittari; children, Johnny Pittari, Victor Pittari and Carla Belanger; his grandchildren, Aleena, Jack, Nicholas, Jason, Ava and Adaline; and his sister, Julia Soto.
Giovanni was preceded in death by his Father Vittorio Pittari, Mother Filomena Pittari, Sister Teresa Kantner.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 17, 2022, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 11401 Leesville Road, Raleigh at 11:00am. Burial will follow in Raleigh Memorial Park. The family will receive visitors Sunday afternoon, January 16, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Dementia Alliance of NC using the link below under the 'Donations' tab.
If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of John, or a message of condolence for his family, you may do so below within 'add a memory'.
