Giuseppe Bertolone

Giuseppe Bertolone, commonly known as "Papa Joe" at the restaurant, died 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 p.m. on March 6, 2013.

Bertolone, 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, AL to be closer to their daughters, Mary Bertolone and Sonia Bertolone de Carrillo. The Bertolones' 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; daughters, Sonia Bertolone de Carrillo and husband Bruno, and Mary Bertolone Perez and husband Ezequiel; son, Michael Bertolone and wife Cynthia; and grandchildren, Brittany, GianCarlo, Francesca, Lucia and Phoenix.

The family will greet friends 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2013 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, AL, with the Wake Service at 7 p.m. in Southern Heritage Chapel, Pelham. The Funeral Mass will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church,Highway 119 South in Montevallo, AL. Father Ray Dunmyer will officiate.