Harrisburg has lost one of its most memorable characters with the passing of Nick Cantone, the spirited owner of Cantone’s Southern Italian Cuisine in Lower Paxton Township. He died on October 28 at the age of 77, according to his brother, Tom Cantone of Mystic, Connecticut. Known for his charisma, humor, and undeniable presence, Nick left behind a legacy that shaped the local restaurant scene for more than three decades.

Cantone’s restaurant wasn’t just a dining spot—it was an institution. Politicians, athletes, and families filled its tables, drawn in by both the food and the man behind it. From his early start with Cantone’s Sports Tavern in 1979 to the transformation into a full-fledged Italian restaurant, Nick’s vision combined family recipes with his trademark showmanship. His parents, Ann and Louis Cantone, were instrumental in its success—Ann baking Italian desserts and Louis handling the books.

Nick’s restaurant attracted celebrities such as Tony Bennett, Billy Crystal, George Carlin, and even the cast of The Sopranos. Beyond the glamour, Nick’s bold personality made him unforgettable. He once famously bet $10,000 on who could quit smoking first and brought blues legend B.B. King to open his downtown restaurant in 2002.

Despite a few well-known controversies—including gambling charges and liquor investigations—Nick Cantone remained a symbol of local pride and perseverance. Friends and patrons remember him not just as a restaurateur but as a man who lived life loudly, loved deeply, and turned every dinner into a celebration.