Paul Villari Jr., restaurateur

Paul Villari Jr., 83, of Cinnaminson, owner and operator of Villari's Milmarian Bar & Restaurant in Palmyra, died of lung cancer Tuesday, Dec. 28, at home.

The Milmarian, a landmark on Route 73, has served thousands of diners over six decades. Much of its success came from keeping things the way they were when Mr. Villari's parents opened it in 1948.

"It was a very traditional restaurant," said Mr. Villari's son Phil. "The menu didn't change too much. . . . It had a very loyal clientele."

The customers - who aged along with the restaurant - brought in new generations to enjoy the mostly Italian American food.

Villari's Milmarian prospered despite tough economic times and a 1984 shooting spree that left one patron dead and Mr. Villari's brother John injured.

Mr. Villari was known as a "tough boss, but very fair," his son said. Even in his 80s, he and his wife, Helen, went to work every day. The couple opened the restaurant together and took turns closing it at night.

"It became more of a lifestyle for them," their son said.

In May, Food Network producer Marc Summers and celebrity chef Robert Irvine gave the Milmarian a makeover as part of a series called Restaurant: Impossible, set to debut next month.

The crew worked for almost two days straight, renovating main dining room and helping to redesign the menu, Phil Villari said.

"Being old-school, he was unsure at first, but he was pleased" with the outcome, Phil Villari said of his father's reaction to their work.

Mr. Villari was born in Palmyra, where his parents, Paul Sr. and Natalie, operated the Villari Bakery. After he graduated from Palmyra High School in 1945, he served two years as an Army medic in Japan.

He returned to South Jersey and worked at the bakery until his parents opened the Milmarian, named after their daughters, Mildred, Mary, and Anna. In the first few years, Paul Sr., Natalie, and their seven children all worked at the restaurant.

Mr. Villari married Helen Villari in 1960. He and his three brothers - Placido, Joseph, and John - took over the restaurant after their father died in 1973.

After buying his brothers' interests in 1998, Mr. Villari ran the restaurant with his wife and three sons.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Villari is survived by sons Paul 3d, Phillip, and Anthony; six grandchildren; two brothers; and two sisters.

A viewing will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 2, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 2226 Riverton Rd., Cinnaminson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 3, at the church. Burial will follow in Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson.