\u201cChris was the heart of Lincoln Avenue,\u201d Maggi told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cLa Villa is family to everyone in Willow Glen, so it\u2019s just a huge loss.\u201d<\/p>\n
His family\u2019s restaurant and deli have been serving the neighborhood since his parents Dave and Patty Bertucelli bought the business in 1988. So much of the eatery\u2019s decor and even the popularity of his namesake sandwich, the Chris Combo, speaks to their son\u2019s love of life, sports and community.<\/p>\n
The walls of the cozy deli are lined with NHL and NFL sports memorabilia \u2014 autographed hockey sticks from the San Jose Sharks and San Francisco 49ers jerseys, including one from legendary quarterback Joe Montana.<\/p>\n
He loved the local Little Leaguers as much as the pro teams, and the Willow Glen sports community has let it be known they won\u2019t forget him. A large poster board covered with messages inside the front window of the deli reads: \u201cIn Loving Memory of Chris. Owner of La Villa, Proud Little League Sponsor, True Champion of Our Kids and Community. You Will Be Missed, Chris. PLAY BALL IN HEAVEN. LOVE WGL.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, community members and customers expressed their condolences, exchanging hugs with heartbroken family members. A sign posted in the window thanked them for their support. The family was too distraught to speak to San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n
A GoFundMe account<\/a> created to help support Bertucelli\u2019s wife and children has raised more than $142,000, including a $2,000 donation from the San Jose Sharks and a $12,000 donation from Sharks player Mario Ferraro, who plays defense for the team.\u00a0<\/p>\n Another sign in the window from Curt, Bri and the Teal City Crew, a supporters club for the San Jose Sharks and San Jose Barracuda, reads: \u201cA model businessman, friend, and father. We all lost an incredible man. We, the entire community, love you, Chris.\u201d<\/p>\n Lifelong customer David Kennedy said Bertucelli was personable and always had a smile and wave for locals and was a huge supporter of the local car show.<\/p>\n \u201cStanding in line, every person in front of me was giving their condolences to everyone behind the counter,\u201d Kennedy told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cMy thoughts and prayers are with them.\u201d<\/p>\n Willow Glen Business Association Board President Tim Mulcahy said Bertucelli was a man who left a lasting imprint on the entire Willow Glen community.<\/p>\n \u201cChris helped strengthen the fabric of Willow Glen. He was an active participant in the community, created tight-knit relationships with other businesses and was always willing to help when needed,\u201d Mulcahy told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cWith his hard work, Bertucelli\u2019s La Villa Deli has become a staple and an icon in San Jose, bringing us the famous Chris Combo sandwich and raviolis we have all come to love.\u201d<\/p>\n Lisa Morris and Vicky Malvini, co-owners of neighboring women\u2019s boutique BellaJames, said they lost a dear friend. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d see him almost every day walking to work and he\u2019d always give a big smile,\u201d Morris told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cIt\u2019s just hard to imagine Lincoln Avenue without him.\u201d<\/p>\n Morris said when La Villa catered parties at her house, Bertucelli made an extra effort, which included creating meatballs to resemble golf balls for her boyfriend\u2019s birthday party.<\/p>\n \u201cHe always had such a big heart,\u201d she said. \u201cHe did so much for Little League and all the different organizations and schools.\u201d<\/p>\n Malvini, who was quite emotional while talking about Bertucelli, said he was full of life and lit up a room. She said he was generous and hardworking.<\/p>\n \u201cHe made you feel loved and cared for always,\u201d Malvini told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cHe always gave you a big hug. It breaks our heart. He\u2019s going to be missed.\u201d \u201cIt has been a long time since I\u2019ve witnessed the public\u2019s uniform sadness over the loss of one of our own,\u201d he said. \u201cThe sudden passing of Chris Bertucelli\u2026 is heartbreaking. The outpouring of stories, photos and memories has been uplifting, inspiring and even filled with humor \u2014 a reflection of the joy Chris brought to so many. Willow Glen and San Jose has lost part of its soul.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_6168-1024x961.jpeg\")
A floral wreath displayed in La Villa\u2019s sitting area remembers Chris Bertucelli as a beloved son, father and brother. Photo by Lorraine Gabbert.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_6182-1024x768.jpeg\")
NHL and NFL sports memorabilia line the walls of the cozy deli, with autographed hockey sticks from the San Jose Sharks and San Francisco 49ers jerseys, including one from legendary quarterback Joe Montana. Photo by Lorraine Gabbert.<\/p>\n![\"Keep](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769027829_854_interactive-184632509590.png\")
<\/a>District 6 San Jose Councilmember Michael Mulcahy, who represents Willow Glen, wrote a tribute to Bertucelli in his newsletter.\u00a0<\/p>\n