Westbrook mourns an icon

Westbrook restaurateur Peter Profenno was remembered this week as a gracious and dedicated business owner and family man.

Profenno, the founder and highly visible owner of Profenno’s Pizzeria & Pub, died Friday, Dec. 4, at age 81. Hundreds of people poured through Jones & Rich Funeral Home in Portland during visiting hours Tuesday, with a funeral to follow Wednesday.

Profenno’s has been a fixture on Main Street in Westbrook since it was established in 1962, serving pizza and other favorites. Profenno’s also has a lively bar and a function room. The restaurant, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012, is a favorite stop for those living and working in Westbrook.

Profenno was still cooking at his restaurant this year. His wife of 58 years, Mary Profenno, died in January. Under the couple and their family, the restaurant endured urban renewal during the 1970s, different ownership in the ’80s and a devastating fire in 2004.

The couple had three sons, Michael Profenno, Daniel Profenno and Paul Profenno. Paul Profenno has managed the bar and the operation along with his father, and will carry on.

Paul Profenno provided an update on the company’s Facebook page this week. It was followed by hundreds of comments from customers.

“We thank everyone for their support during this difficult time,” the post said. “We look forward for carrying on his legacy.” The restaurant was closed Tuesday.

Collections of photographs were displayed at the funeral home Tuesday, many depicting Profenno, his family, employees and patrons in the restaurant through the decades.

Although he was a Portland native, attended Deering High School and lived in Portland, he was considered a Westbrook icon. He had a big impact on those he worked alongside, and neighboring businesses.

Craig Bernier, the owner of the newly reopened Don’s Lunch in Westbrook, commented during the ribbon-cutting last week about his relationship with Profenno. Bernier said Profenno was responsible for speaking first with the owners of Friendly Gas & Redemption about the possibility of parking the lunch van there.

“I happened to stop in for lunch one day, and he said, ‘How’s that van coming?’” Bernier said.

Mayor Colleen Hilton, a longtime friend, also commented during the ceremony, saying that Profenno welcomed the arrival of Don’s Lunch across the street.

“When I told Pete that Don’s Lunch would be across the street, competing with him, he was absolutely thrilled,” Hilton said. “That’s the kind of gentleman Pete Profenno was. He said, ‘If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.’”

Hilton said she and her husband have been regulars at Profenno’s for 35 years, ever since they were living in a second-floor apartment on Myrtle Street.

“He has been a very dear friend,” she said, adding that since becoming mayor, she would talk to him about city issues and events.

“He always wanted the best for everyone,” she said.

Hilton said her son runs trivia nights at Profenno’s on Thursday’s, and frequently asked Profenno to sponsor local sports teams and other activities.

“He never said no,” she said. “He was community driven.”

Gunjan Patel, a co-owner of Friendly Discount, located next door to Profenno’s, said Profenno was the best neighbor he could ask for.

“He was always helping us out,” he said.

He said Profenno vouched for him and his brother during city meetings about their business, even recently, discussing Friendly Gas.

Profenno graduated from Deering High School in 1953. While in school and after, he excelled at athletics, especially baseball. He did a brief stint in the U.S. Army, where he was selected to play in the U.S. Military European Baseball League. At the funeral home Tuesday, a giant poster board was covered with newspaper clippings featuring Profenno during his baseball days, depicting him as a “rifle-armed” third baseman. One of the articles talked about the possibility of utilizing Profenno as a pitcher due to his arm.

Following the Army, Profenno was a cigarette salesman for a year, then a chocolate salesman for five years, before going into business for himself. In 1962, Profenno purchased the former Cardamone’s bar in Westbrook, then at 920 Main St., for $1,500.

According to a 2012 story in the American Journal, he opened first as a bar on Sept. 17, 1962. He liked it so much, he bought the entire building two years later for $20,000, and by 1970 he was offering a full menu.

However, from 1984-1991, Profenno stopped running the restaurant, instead allowing new management to take over. He opened a car dealership, Magic Motors, but after the restaurant stopped making mortgage payments, he went back.

In 2004, Profenno’s again survived following a fire that destroyed the building. It was ruled arson and the case remains unsolved.

Lucy Larrivee, the manager of Final Cut Hair Salon at 918 Main St., a property that Profenno also owned, said Wednesday that she collaborated with Profenno on the business.

“He couldn’t believe he owned a beauty shop,” she said. “We loved him, and we’re going to miss him. He always came over asking if we needed anything.”

Final Cut has been there since 2008, after moving from across the street from Profenno’s.

City Councilor Mike Sanphy, a retired veteran police officer, said he met Profenno in 1968, shortly after joining the force.

“We became good friends,” he said. “Over the years, I found him to be a person that cared for people and was always willing to help anyone. Peter was a great guy and will certainly be missed by many of us.”

Sanphy also said that during his time at the police department, “we never had a problem down there. It was one of the quietest bars in the city.”

Bill Baker, the assistant city administrator, said Tuesday that he’ll remember Profenno’s “kind and gregarious personal charm.”

“Whenever he came in to City Hall, employees would light up and enjoy the kind and pleasant interaction with him,” he said. “He was one of the most cherished and highly thought of local businessmen, for sure.”

Friends also recounted his charitable side this week.

“Westbrook has lost an icon,” Bernard Broder of Gorham said Tuesday night during the visiting hours. “He and his wife did a lot of things for the unfortunate.”

Jim Fahey, also a longtime friend of Profenno, said Wednesday that Profenno never hesitated to get involved with community fundraisers and charities. Fahey said his son, Jim Fahey Jr., is a disc jockey at Profenno’s every weekend.

“He’s been a very good friend, and always nice to the family,” he said. “He was always there, always making sure he was donating something to the charities. I’m sure his son Paul will follow in his footsteps.”

Peter Profenno, who died last week, was a fixture in Westbrook and “a great guy.” File photo by Rich Obrey