Joseph LoSciuto Jr., owner and operator of the Milk Bottle restaurant in Raynham, died unexpectedly on Dec. 29, according to his obituary. He was 68 years old.
Known affectionately as “Papa Joe” by family and friends, LoSciuto has been at the center of Raynham’s landmark restaurant, which is housed in a 60-foot milk bottle-shaped building, for over two decades.
“He poured his heart into the establishment, creating a beloved community hub that reflected his sarcastic wit and wisdom. His presence at the restaurant became a cornerstone of the local community, and his absence will be deeply felt by the many lives he touched,” his obituary reads.
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After acquiring the property back in 2000 as a Christmas gift for his children, LoSciuto took the time to make the restaurant his own, repainting and cleaning the place up. According to LoSciuto’s daughter Jamie, he reopened the restaurant on Jan. 26, 2001.
Since then, LoSciuto and his four children — Cari LoSciuto of Middleboro, Jamie LoSciuto, Kristy LoSciuto, and Jesse LoSciuto, all of Taunton — who have all worked at the restaurant at some point in time, have been serving classic, family-style breakfast and lunch foods to locals and long-distance travelers alike, many of whom stop by to see the uniquely shaped building for themselves.
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To his family, friends, and customers, LoSciuto has always been what they call “the main staple” of the restaurant. When his death was announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page, the post received more than 350 reactions, 144 comments, and 66 shares.
“I’ll never forget the Milk Bottle being my first job and how welcoming Papa Joe was. From me being a customer as a child to becoming an employee, I’ll never forget him standing in his favorite spot,” one customer commented.
“As we bid farewell to Papa Joe, we celebrate a life well-lived, and a journey filled with love. Joe’s indelible mark on the hearts of his family and friends will be treasured and his memory will live on as a guiding light of resilience and wisdom,” his obituary read. “His legacy will remain in the hearts of family, friends, and loyal customers.”
The restaurant is currently closed until further notice due to LoSciuto’s death, the restaurant announced in a Facebook post, but the cash-only restaurant is normally open every day from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
