"I've been ordering Chris' combo from him and his family for over 20 years, so I had to go in and check in with the family and enjoy one of Chris' sandwiches, said Jason McClelland, eating at a patio table. Bertucelli's is like those delis you see on the East Coast—a heart of the neighborhood where you run into friends and neighbors, where you see people's kids and their parents."
"Chris Bertucelli died of a heart attack on Feb. 25. Customers have set up a GoFundMe to support his wife, Jenelle, and their two young children, Matteo and Liliana. Organizers said, Chris was known for his generosity and kindness, and his wife and children are facing a challenge."
"The sandwich, made from ingredients Bertucelli refuses to disclose, is a big hit with members of the Sharks and 49er organizations. And that's what many grieving and sentimental customers came to order this week when the deli quietly reopened."
Chris Bertucelli, owner of La Villa Delicatessen in San Jose's Willow Glen neighborhood, passed away unexpectedly at age 47 from a heart attack. Known as "Combo" for his signature sandwich creation featuring secret ingredients, Bertucelli was a vibrant community figure who supplied meals to San Jose Sharks and San Francisco 49ers organizations. His deli served as a neighborhood gathering place where customers built relationships over decades. Following his death, the family reopened the deli, continuing to serve traditional Italian fare including ravioli, cannelloni, and other specialties. A GoFundMe was established to support his widow Jenelle and their two young children, Matteo and Liliana, reflecting Bertucelli's known generosity and kindness.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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