Newark Honors Late Harrison Restaurateur Antonino “Nino” D’Angelo

As the evening sun cast long shadows across the grounds of St. John’s Church in Newark’s Ironbound district, dozens of people gathered not just to remember a man but to celebrate a legacy built on compassion, generosity, and quiet heroism. 

The late Antonino “Nino” D’Angelo, the longtime owner of Nino’s Pizzeria in Harrison, was posthumously honored on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, by Newark East Ward Councilman Michael J. Silva. The ceremony, held in the very churchyard where Nino had spent nearly a decade delivering food to feed the hungry, was a moving tribute to a man whose weekly acts of kindness often went unnoticed but never unappreciated. 

For close to ten years, Nino was a committed volunteer in the “Help to Feed” program, a community-driven initiative that provides hot meals to the most vulnerable. Every Tuesday, without fail, Nino delivered trays of pasta, pizza, and whatever else was needed—straight from his kitchen at Nino’s Restaurant in Harrison, NJ, to the hands of those who had nowhere else to turn. These meals were served on the grounds of St. John’s Church, the same place where the tribute in his honor was held. 

The gathering was heartfelt and solemn, filled with family members, longtime customers, local officials, and fellow volunteers. Newark’s Councilman Silva, who once worked in law enforcement and knew Nino personally, led the ceremony with a proclamation recognizing Nino’s contributions. The resolution entered Nino’s name and deeds into the official record of the Newark Municipal Council. 

Nino’s son, Salvatore D’Angelo, shared memories of his father’s unwavering dedication to service, recalling how the food deliveries became a family tradition every Tuesday. Nino’s wife, Maria, stood with tearful gratitude, visibly moved by the recognition of a mission her husband had carried out for years with humility and heart. 

The tribute served not only as a memorial to a man beloved by his community but also as a reminder of the power of consistent kindness. Nino’s commitment to feeding others was never about accolades; it was about decency, love for people, and a deep understanding that everyone deserves a hot meal and a moment of dignity. 

Councilman Silva summed up the sentiment simply but powerfully: honoring Nino was about more than a citation—it was about lifting up an example of “community patriotism,” a term he used to describe the kind of everyday service that builds strong, compassionate neighborhoods. 

The Town of Harrison lost Nino on March 16, 2025, at the age of 74. But for those who gathered this week, his spirit lives on in every meal served and every act of neighborly care. His story began in Italy, continued through a life of hard work that took him from butcher shops to pizzerias in Queens, and ultimately led him to open his beloved Harrison restaurant, first known as Mr. Bruno’s and later, Nino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant. 

For over four decades, his establishment was more than a restaurant. It was a welcoming refuge—a place where police officers, teachers, firefighters, and everyday residents could find a warm plate and a warm smile. It was also a staging ground for his quiet philanthropy, which extended to Newark, Belleville, Kearny, and beyond. 

And Nino was not alone in his generosity. Fellow Harrison business owner Michael Fernandez of the Spanish Pavilion across town has also played a vital role in the Help to Feed program. Fernandez continues to supply food and volunteers alongside others committed to addressing food insecurity in the region. Together, they represent the best of Harrison: business owners who see their restaurants not only as an enterprise but as engines of goodwill. 

As the tribute at St. John’s Church drew to a close and the sun dipped behind Newark’s Ironbound skyline, Councilman Silva’s final words captured the moment perfectly: “This is how we build community by remembering people like Nino and continuing the work he started.” 

Indeed, Nino’s memory now lives on—not in plaques or proclamations alone, but in every Tuesday meal served, every neighbor cared for, and every act of kindness passed forward. 

One plate at a time. 

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