BSO: Frank's Pizza

Much of our Valley and all of Pine Point was saddened last week to learn of the death of Francesco "Frank" Ferrentino, the founder of the Point's popular pizza joint, Tony's Pizza. He also dabbled a bit in MassGOP politics, being a prominent Western Mass supporter of the late Governor Paul Cellucci.

Why was a pizza parlor owned by a guy named Frank called Tony's? Because when Frank bought the business back in 1979, it had originally been owned by some guy named Tony. As is common in business, when you purchase a place that already has a name, it is usually a good idea to keep the original name (and thereby hopefully the original customers). So for the rest of his life many people assumed Frank's name was Tony, and he became so used to it that he rarely corrected people who called him that.

Originally, Tony's Pizza was located in a small storefront attached to a house on the corner of Boston Road and Barber Street. Later it moved up Boston Road a bit to the former hardware store next to Nora's Variety, then finally permanently settled several doors down, converting and expanding a former music store that had specialized in keyboard instruments.

Although officially a pizza place, Tony's actually featured a wide array of Italian food. Their grinders were especially good. Some nights after Tony's closed, Frank used to stop by the gallery of Richard Doyle the Twig Painter, also located on Boston Road, usually with a free pizza in hand. Needless to say he was always welcome.

The last time I saw him at the restaurant Frank did not look healthy. We laughed remembering the wild times that sometimes went down at the Twig Gallery. I like to imagine that Frank and Doyle must be enjoying a heavenly reunion, preferably with some of Frank's Italian cuisine. He wouldn't be happy in heaven if he couldn't cook.

Rest in peace, Pizza-dude.