Josephine Barone; Restaurateur

Josephine Barone, who opened the first of two Barone’s Famous Italian restaurants in the San Fernando Valley in 1945, has died at her Van Nuys home. She was 83.

Mrs. Barone died Saturday of a heart attack, said her daughter, Jo Ann Peters of Walnut Grove, Calif.

A New York native, she came to California in 1945 and opened an Italian restaurant in Sherman Oaks with her husband and two of her brothers. In 1970, Mrs. Barone and other family members opened a Barone’s restaurant in Toluca Lake. A third restaurant, in Laguna Hills, was opened about 1977 and sold in 1980. Mrs. Barone, who worked as a cook and hostess among other duties, was active at both restaurants until the time of her death.

In addition to her daughter, Mrs. Barone is survived by her brothers, Tony Arpaia of Sherman Oaks, Frank Arpaia of Van Nuys and Mike Arpaia of Glendale; sister Mary Monteleone of Encino and three grandchildren. Her husband, Jerome Barone, died in 1959.

Visitation is planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Praiswater Funeral Home, 5849 Van Nuys Blvd., in Van Nuys, which is handling the arrangements. A rosary service will be at 6:30 p.m. tonight, with a funeral Mass at 7 p.m., both at St. Francis de Sales Church, 13370 Valleyheart Drive, in Sherman Oaks. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, 11160 Stranwood Ave., Mission Hills. Memorial contributions can be made in Mrs. Barone’s name to a charity of the donor’s choice or to St. Francis de Sales Church.