Visitation: Monday, March 11, 2013, 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M., Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124, (205) 988-3511. Funeral Mass, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 2:00 P.M., St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Highway 119, Montevallo, AL 35115, southerheritagefunerals.com
The namesake of Joe’s Italian Restaurant, who frequently greeted visitors as they entered the establishment, passed away on March 6, 2013.
Giuseppe Bertolone, commonly known as “Papa Joe” at the restaurant, died on March 6, 2013, after he stopped breathing and was transported from the restaurant to the Shelby Baptist Medical Center emergency room, according to posts on the Joe’s Italian Facebook page.
“With heavy hearts, we regret to inform you that Papa Joe has passed,” read a post on the Facebook page shortly after 11:00 P.M. on March 6, 2013.
Bertolone, who was born in Mussomeli, Italy, moved to California with his wife, Elvira, in 1977 before opening the original Joe’s Italian restaurant in Gilroy, CA. in 1981.
The Bertolones sold their California restaurant in 2007 and moved to Shelby County to be closer to their daughters, Mary Bertolone and Sonia Bertolone de Carrillo.
The Bertolone’s son, Michael, moved to Shelby County shortly thereafter, and de Carrillo and Michael Bertolone opened the Alabaster Joe’s Italian off Weatherly Club Drive in 2009.
Giuseppe Bertolone was a staple at the Alabaster restaurant, and frequently greeted and helped seat Joe’s Italian patrons.
Giuseppe is survived by his wife of 44 years, Elvira Bertolone. His daughters Sonia Bertolone de Carrillo and husband Bruno, Mary Bertolone Perez and husband Ezequiel and son Michael Bertolone and wife Cynthia, and grandchildren Brittany, GianCarlo, Francesca, Lucia and Phoenix.
