CHEVIOT — The founder of the legendary Maury's Tiny Cove steakhouse in Cheviot, Maurice J. Bibent IV, died of a stroke Wednesday at Mercy Franciscan Hospital, Western Hills Campus.

        The Cheviot resident was 84.

        Mr. Bibent opened the restaurant, long considered by many the best place to get a steak on the west side, in 1949. It had been a small one-room bar to which he added rooms that eventually accommodated 200 diners and kept its intimate feel. The restaurant, which was was sold in 1994 to Paul Yamaguchi, remains open today.

        Decade after decade, times changed and trendy establishments came and went. But Maury's stayed the same — from the red Naugahyde booths and wood paneling to the offerings on the menu — named after the team mascots of west-side high schools. Maury's mascot was a bull holding a martini.

        While not pretentious — patrons could count on a bowl of dill pickles at the table — it was considered one of the classiest spots on the west side.

        “In the early 1950s, when I first met Maury, he immediately became a business mentor to me,” said another west-side legend, pizza king Buddy LaRosa.

        “He taught me to be passionate about providing consistent, high-quality food and friendly service to patrons. He enjoyed serving his bar customers a quality drink they would appreciate and come back for. Maury is one of the finest restaurateurs to operate in our area.”

        Mr. Bibent, a lifelong west-sider, was a graduate of Western Hills High School. Passionate about sports, he played guard for a semi-pro football team in Cincinnati.

        During World War II he owned a gas station “and he was always telling the story of how he gave Andy Williams and his family gas ration stamps to get to California,” said his daughter-in-law, Beverly Bibent of Mack.

        His parents were French immigrants and although he had no experience in the business, “He had such a love of food and wine, he just bought that bar and it evolved into this restaurant,” his daughter-in-law said.

        Not that it had anything like a French flair. It was a 1950s-style steak and potatoes place.

        When Mr. Bibent's son, Maury V, started playing team sports his dad was at every single game.

        In those days, while his son played high school ball, Maury's Tiny Cove was a gathering place for players, students, teachers and coaches following the games, said Dick Karin, a former West Hi coach during the late 1950s and early '60s. “That was a big night.”

        When the younger Bibent played football for Florida State, his dad flew to every game.

        Later, he did the same for his grandson Maury VI.

        In addition to his son, grandson and daughter-in-law, survivors include: Garnet Koopman Bibent, his wife of 59 years; another grandchild; and a great-grandson.

        A memorial service is 2 p.m. Monday at Norman Chapel at Spring Grove Cemetery,Winton Place.

        Memorials: Bridgetown Baseball Association, 5856 Valleywal Court, Cincinnati 45247.

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