WEST POINT — Gaetano Buffa, 64, passed away Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.
Gaetano was born July 15, 1956, to Guiseppe and Luisa Buffa in Carini, Sicily, Italy. At age 16, he came to America in 1972 with family on summer vacation and decided to stay and create a life in the United States. He worked hard to learn English on his own and establish himself while working at Anna’s Pizza in Buckroe.
Gaetano later moved to Danville in 1976 with his sister, Mimma, and brother, Joe. They worked together as a family to start their first restaurant, Joe and Mimma’s.
Years later, around 1984, Gaetano moved his family to Midlothian, where he founded Sergio’s Ristorante, Sergio’s Pizzeria, Tramonto at the Brandermill Inn and Luisa’s Pizza. Around the year 2000, he made the huge decision to purchase Anna’s Italian Restaurant in West Point, and that is where he ended up putting down roots and building lasting relationships.
Gaetano is survived by his mother, Luisa Buffa; son, Ryan Buffa; daughter, Brianna Buffa; brother, Antonio “Joe” Buffa; sister, Mimma Brooks; 10 grandchildren; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins, both in the United States and abroad.
Gaetano is best characterized as being a determined, hard-working, generous man who loved his family. He loved making everyone around him laugh and was constantly joking and dancing through life.
More than anything else, Gaetano was a man who took care of people. If someone was in need, he did whatever he could to help. Community involvement was important to him, and he participated in the Midlothian Jaycees, as well as many other community sponsorship events.
Gaetano was well-known for his Italian cuisine and family recipes, and he even placed second in the Richmond Pizza Competition. He loved his home country, Italy, fishing, watching horse racing, soccer, football, basketball, as well as collecting art and vintage jewelry, but most of all, he enjoyed his work at the restaurant and connecting with the people of West Point.
A public walk-through viewing will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Vincent Funeral Home, West Point. A private funeral will be held at a later date.
Special thanks to all of Gaetano’s second family at Anna’s Italian Restaurant, West Point, for keeping the restaurant running during his illness and for their decades of love and support.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13.
Share online condolences with the family at Vincent Funeral Home.
