Larry Cantamessa, president of New York-based rep firm PBAC and Associates has passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 63 years old.

John Metz, the founder of Metz Culinary Management, passed away on May 8, 2023. He was 83 years old.  

Kevin Vigeant of Lakeside Foodservice passed away on April 27, 2023. He spent 12 years with the Wisconsin-based foodservice equipment manufacturer, most recently serving as executive vice president.

Gary Dykstra, a longtime foodservice equipment executive, passed away on April 21, 2023. He was 68 years old.

Jerry Greene of Hotel & Restaurant Supply, a Mississippi-based foodservice equipment and supplies dealer passed away on February 24. He was 80 years old.

Wallace Streich, founder of Wisconsin-based foodservice equipment dealer Streich Equipment Co., died on January 31, 2023. He was 97 years old.

Paul Klein, a longtime foodservice equipment and supplies dealer, passed away on January 15, 2023. The past owner of Atlanta Fixtures, Klein was 90 years old. Klein owned the company for close to 60 years.

Longtime foodservice equipment manufacturer Michael Elliott has died. He was 82 years old.

The foodservice industry is mourning the loss of two long-time and accomplished members: James O’Brien Jr. of GCS Service and Jim Bassett of Link2Hospitality Solutions.

Two longtime independent manufacturers reps have passed away: Corky Pike, Johnson Pike & Associates, Inc. and Kerry Wallace, Forbes, Hever & Wallace, Inc.

Christopher Heina, president of Cobblestone Ovens, passed away on Oct. 2, 2022. He was 48 years old.

Larry McAllister, owner of Eagle Group, has passed away after a multi-year battle with cancer.

Two longtime manufacturers’ reps, Edward Pecinka Sr. formerly of Pecinka Ferri and Dick Wiczek of Wiczek & Associates have passed away.

Gary Inverso, a longtime member of the foodservice industry has passed away.

Jay Mincks, a longtime member of the foodservice industry passed away on April 5, 2022. He was 95 years old.

Ron Kochman, co-founder of KCL and longtime member of the foodservice industry has passed away. He was 85 years old.

Marius “Pepe” Griffo, a longtime member of the foodservice equipment industry has passed away due to a chronic illness. He was 82 years old.

James “Jim” DeLuca, an account representative for TriMark, passed away Aug. 30, 2021. DeLuca was 72 years old and spent more than 30 years in the foodservice industry.

Richard “Rick” Caron, executive vice president and chief innovation officer for Welbilt, passed away following a brief, non-COVID-19 related illness. He was 65 years old.

Longtime manufacturers’ rep Jerry Yundt passed away on Aug. 2. Yundt was 80 years old. He was a principal at Jerry Yundt & Associates and spent more than 45 years in the foodservice industry.

John “Jack” Sparacio passed away on June 21, 2021, in Carlsbad, Calif., following a long illness. The 78-year-old Sparacio had previously served as president of Lang Manufacturing, a Washington-based foodservice equipment manufacturer.

Mike Burkett, founder of Burkett Restaurant Equipment & Supplies, passed away on March 29, 2021. He was 63 years old.

Neven Stanisic, a technician with KD Service, a Colorado-based service agent, passed away on March 22. He was one of 10 victims in the mass shooting at King Soopers in Boulder, Colo.

Alan Green, a longtime member of the foodservice industry passed away on Jan. 22, 2021. He was 81 years old.

Andrew Bachovin, a longtime member of the foodservice industry, died on Jan. 18, 2021. He was 74 years old.

Ali Group founder Luciano Berti passed away on Jan. 18, 2021, 8 days shy of his 90th birthday.

Frederick “Freddy” Simon, co-founder and namesake of Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers died on Oct. 25, 2020. He was 95 years old.

Sam Grano de Oro, formerly of foodservice equipment manufacturer Cadco, died on Sept. 16, 2020.

Harmon Lewis, a longtime executive at American Panel, passed away on Sept. 1. He was 72 years old.

The Foodservice and Hospitality Division of the American Jewish Committee will honor those foodservice professionals who have passed due to COVID-19 with a virtual memorial service that will take place on October 14, 2020.