Pizza & Passports

According to family lore, my great-grandfather Sinabaldo Graziano opened the first pizzeria in New Jersey back in the 19-somethings. He came to America from Casa Marciano, a village near Naples, and fell in love with Julia Truncone. Their story is one for another day, but here’s the important part: Julia’s father, Mr. Truncone, was a master baker in Little Italy and eventually taught Sinabaldo the art of flour. In turn, Sinabaldo became a master himself.

Now, if the name Truncone sounds familiar, it’s because his bakery used to get its flour from Lombardi’s package good store — yep, that Lombardi’s, the one recognized by the U.S. Pizza Hall of Fame as the first pizzeria in America. At some point, the bakery moved to New Jersey, where Sinabaldo began making 18-inch pizzas for a nickel on Friday nights.

Eventually, the Graziano men decided the baking business was too much work and switched careers to construction. (I know, right?) But the pizza-making tradition still lives on, passed down through six generations with the same family recipe from 120 years ago.

Travel has always been a big part of my life. Growing up, my parents took me to incredible places like Hawaii, Aruba, and Puerto Rico, sparking a lifelong love for exploring new destinations. Now, as a father, I continue that tradition with my amazing wife, Sherry, and our kids, discovering new places around the world together. Before having kids, we traveled everywhere, and now, with our kids, we’re still on the move, experiencing even more.

What I’ve learned along the way is how to become a pro at planning trips. I’ve helped countless friends plan their family vacations, and through the travel section of The GrazFather, I aim to do the same for you. If you’re looking to plan a trip but aren’t sure where to start, I’m here to help! Feel free to reach out with any travel requests, and I’ll work to make your dream getaway a reality.