John “Jack” T. LiGreci, an entrepreneur, patriarch, businessman, and North Shore giant who transformed LiGreci’s Staaten into a Staten Island institution, died Wednesday in his Westerleigh home with family by his side. LiGreci, together with his late brother, Nicholas LiGreci, were co-owners of LiGreci’s Staaten, after purchasing what had been a modest banquet venue from Mike Bilotto in 1971.
The partnership between the brothers proved critical to their success, with Jack describing Nicholas as “the best partner a person could ever have.”Together, the LiGreci brothers developed the dining spot into a legendary catering hall, generations of Staten Islanders at weddings, galas, and political and cultural events.
