It’s All About: Family Louis T. Seminski June 10, 1955 – July 1, 2020

Sciortino’s returns to Perth Amboy. Grand Opening 9/27/12.
*File Photo by Carolyn Maxwell

Perth Amboy and South Amboy recently lost one of their favorite sons and a member of one of the most traditional families in Perth Amboy. Louis T. Seminski was a proud member of the Sciortino Family who had been in the restaurant business for decades on New Brunswick Avenue, Perth Amboy before having to close down due to eminent domain. The business was known for its original brick oven which gave a unique flavor not only to its pizza, but to all the dishes on the menu. You never really had pizza until you tried Sciortino’s. 

When Sciortino’s was located in Perth Amboy, they hired local residents in Perth Amboy (Many were teenagers or young adults at the time). Among them were longtime city employees such as Former City Clerk Elaine Jasko, Former Police Chief Michael Kohut, and retired Police Officer Ken Puccio who is also on the Perth Amboy Board of Education. Some of those employees also had family members who later worked at Sciortino’s in Perth Amboy.

Sciortino’s found the perfect location in South Amboy and named their restaurant Sciortino’s Harbor Lights.

It wasn’t unusual when I delivered the papers to Sciortino’s in South Amboy to see Perth Amboy city employees eating there. 

Lou Seminski Jr putting a pizza in the brick oven in Sciortino’s Perth Amboy. *File Photo by Carolyn Maxwell

About a year ago, I was at Sciorino’s in the evening, and the former Pastor of St. Peters Episcopal Church Fr. Rodney Croes who now lives out of state popped in to pick up a couple of pizzas that he had ordered. He told me he made it a point that any time he was in the area, he made sure he got his Sciortino’s pizza.

One of the classes from Perth Amboy High School a few years ago had a reunion dinner there. Once I happened to find the late Jack Cerulo there with a table full of relatives celebrating Mother’s Day.

Sciortino’s is always appropriately decorated for each holiday. 

When Sciortino’s opened in South Amboy., Lou was the best Italian Irishman in town during South Amboy’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. After the parade, one of the bagpiper bands would come to Sciortino’s.

It was not surprising that Lou would become involved in many charitable fundraisers, especially when it came to helping the YMCA in South Amboy. Lou Seminski Jr. would follow in his father’s footsteps to become one of the Board Members of the YMCA in Perth Amboy. The Perth Amboy YMCA is built on the property that was formerly the site of the original Sciortino’s. The YMCA and Sciortino’s have much in common: Family, Faith, and Friendship.

Lou Seminski with daughter, Sheri in front of Sciortino’s Harbor Lights, South Amboy 5/3/13. *File Photo by Katherine Massopust

Lou Seminski was also very aware of people’s idiosyncrasies. There was something he told me about one of my brothers that I never picked up on until Lou brought it to my attention. This particular brother and Lou worked construction together and sometimes when I would see Lou, he would imitate my brother. His voice would be spot on. He would say: “Carolyn – your brother would always answer a question with a question. If I said to him: “What time are you going to be at the union hall?” He would shoot back to me: “What time are you going to be at the union hall?” Thinking back, often my brother will respond back to a question with a question. Lou also told me that my brother liked to cook for the crew that was out on a site. Along with the tools on my brother’s belt would also be a frying pan. 

It was great that Lou carried on the tradition of Sciortino’s and their quality food. Sciortino’s was eventually able to open up again in Perth Amboy on New Brunswick Avenue,  even though it is in a much smaller location. I know it was very rewarding for Lou to have his children working in the business with him. It also brought him great joy having grandchildren.

He was very proud of his family and they were even more proud to call him “Dad” and “Grandpa”. Even though he will be sorely missed, just think about all his family and friends who have gone before him and  welcomed him in heaven with open arms and kisses. They are all up there having a great big family meal every day.

Carolyn M.

The Seminski & Sciortino Family pose for a photo during the Christmas season at Sciortino’s Harbor Lights, South Amboy 12/15/12. *File Photo by Aaron Beers

For more information on Sciortino’s go to: http://www.amboyguardian.com/2013/05/10/amboy-spotlight-sciortinos/