Robert J. Minichiello

Robert J. Minichiello, 86, of Andover, MA, peacefully passed away on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Sawtelle Family Hospice House, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 19, 1938, and was the son of the late James and Antoinette "Nettie" (Luca) Minichiello.
Born and raised in Lawrence, MA, Robert received a BS degree in Business Administration from Merrimack College. He began his professional career in pharmaceutical sales at Merck, where he worked for ten years. Robert became a restaurateur and proudly owned The Drum restaurant in Orange, MA. He received accolades far and wide for his continental cuisine. The Drum featured table-side cooking, often by Bob himself, including such 1970s classics as Ceasar Salad, Steak Au Poivre, Duck a l'Orange and Cherries Jubilee. At the height of The Drum's success, Food Critic Anthony Spinazzola of the Boston Globe awarded The Drum with three stars.
After owning the restaurant, Rob finished his successful career as a food salesman for Performance Food Group where he brought his extensive knowledge of food and a keen insight as a restauranteur to the broader hospitality industry of the greater Boston area. It was at PFG that Bob received many awards for Salesman of the Year.
Robert had an abiding love for family and often expressed that love through cooking extravagant holiday meals. Always looking at his life as a work-in-progress, Bob became a vegan when he turned 70 and was an enthusiastic advocate for a vegan lifestyle. He often hosted live cooking demonstrations and showed films to promote his passion. Robert loved to spend time with his family, to travel, to listen to jazz, and was an avid boxing and football fan. He wore his Italian heritage proudly and enjoyed going to the feasts in his hometown of Lawrence, and in Boston and New York.
Along with his parents, Robert is pre-deceased by his brother, James Minichiello, Jr.
Robert will be dearly missed and is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, L. Lorraine (Plante) Minichiello; loving son, Ross Minichiello and his wife Mary Carlin of West Orange, NJ; as well as his grandchildren, Joseph "Max" Minichiello and Bella Minichiello. Robert is also survived by his in-laws, Doris and Chanel Vachon, Debra and William Blanchette, and Linda and Brian Howe, along with several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Monday, February 10, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen. A funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 AM at Mary Queen of Peace, 200 Lawrence Road, Salem, NH. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Bob's name to World Kitchen, an international charitable organization lead by Chef Jose Andres that provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises. (wck.org)