Salvatore Marciano

We are sad to announce that on Friday March 16, 2018 the founder and patriarch of The Genova's family restaurants passed away peacefully at his home in Glenville, PA, surrounded by his family.

Born Salvatore Marciano on August 16, 1939 in Carini, Sicily, Italy. During his early years Salvatore was involved in his family's agricultural and farming business where he grew Lemons and Olives on the family's multiple orchards. He married his wife Carmelina Genova on February 2, 1962 in the same town both were born.

In 1969 Salvatore emigrated to The United States where he briefly worked for The Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan. In 1970 he relocated and began working in Italian restaurants from New York to New Jersey.

It wasn't until 6 years later, in 1976, Salvatore opened his first, very own restaurant in Hanover, Pennsylvania. From 1976 to 1984 Salvatore proceeded to open multiple locations that included Hanover, Spring Grove, York, Carlisle, Camp Hill, Meadville, McSherrystown, Shrewsbury, Mount Joy, all in Pennsylvania and Hampstead and Westminster in Maryland. He decided to honor his wife by naming the restaurants after her maiden name "Genova". Genova's quickly became known for their delicious bread, pizza dough and low acidic tomato sauce (all brought over and mastered by Salvatore from Sicily). Salvatore always stressed to everyone that Genova's was "It's All About the Bread" (which remains Genova's To Go's restaurants slogan to this day).

Aside from loving God, his family, and business, Salvatore had a passion for his gardens, and peach trees. Salvatore had a special passion for older Italian music, Neil Diamond, and a special fondness of Engelbert Humperdinck songs (in which he knew every word).

Salvatore could be seen every morning at various Genova's To Go restaurants still preparing the bread for the day up until recently. He was extremely proud to see his legacy be handed off to his children and then now to the 3rd generation with The Genova's To Go's stores. For many of the past employees over the many years he was fondly and endearingly referred to as "Papa".

Salvatore is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carmelina. His four children and in laws, Frank and Piera Marciano, Darryl and Vita Chesney, Giulo and Kim Marciano (mother of Christian and Jordan), and Bill 3rd and Josephine Knobloch. Salvatore is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Salvatore and Whitney, Gianfranco, Milena, Christian, Jordan Marciano, and Elise, Andrew, and Laura Knobloch, and 1 great grandchild Max Marciano.

The family will receive visitors on Thursday, March 22, 2018 from 3-5 and 7-9 pm at the ECKHARDT FUNERAL CHAPEL, P.A., 3296 Charmil Drive, Manchester, MD 21102. A Requiem Mass with be held on Friday, March 23, 2018 at 10:00 am at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 2930 Hanover Pike, Manchester, MD 21102.

Interment to follow in Rest Haven Cemetery, 300 Frederick St., Hanover, PA 17331.

In lieu of flowers, Salvatore has asked that donations be made to The Visiting Nurses (who all gave him such wonderful care) at www.VNAHanover.org