LISBON – Friends of a well-known and respected Lisbon restaurateur, the late Joseph “Joe” Graziano, have undertaken the “one-time” task of raising at least $20,000 for a scholarship in his name.

To be known as the “Joseph Graziano Scholarship Trust Fund,” the money collected will be put into an interest-bearing account. Proceeds will be used as an annual scholarship for a worthy student enrolled in the culinary arts program at Central Maine Community College in Auburn.

The month-long fund drive got under way this past weekend, and organizers hope to receive enough contributions to conclude the drive by Dec. 31.

If things go as planned, it is anticipated that the first scholarship will be awarded at this time next year, said spokesman Tom Jannarone.

His Italian cuisine was known throughout southern Maine, and tourists often made a side trip to Graziano’s a part of their vacation.

After his death, the town renamed the area around his restaurant as “Joe Graziano Square.”

Since his death, family members who worked with him continued on – his son Joe Jr., and daughters Carolyn Levesque, Mary Frances and Andrea Graziano, along with his wife, Jane, who still bakes pies and makes desserts.

Lisbon native Jim Bennett, now city administrator of Lewiston, chairs the board of directors of the trust fund. Other members of the board are Edmond L. Gay, Thomas Delahanty, Mary Frances and Joseph R. Graziano Jr., Paul Dube and Ronald Barriault.

About 300 letters have been sent out to prospective contributors. Anyone who would like to make a tax-deductible donation may send a check or money order to the Joseph Graziano Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 494, New Gloucester, ME 04260.