Tony Ianni, the founder of Tony's Famous Italian Pizza, a landmark restaurant in the city, has died.
His family told CTV News he died peacefully in his sleep at home Sunday.
The 80-year-old came to London from Italy, founding his pizza shop more than 50 years ago at Dundas and Egerton Streets. The restaurant later moved to Dundas and Quebec Streets.
Ianni would add two more locations in later years.
Staff and suppliers were shocked and saddened to learn of his death as he had been working on Saturday.
"I mean it was awesome (that he continued to work at 80). That was my dad. He was, you know, he was so passionate about his business and so passionate about his family," says Ianni's son Vince.
"He was the patriarch for all of us. That's why it's such a loss."
His funeral will be held on Wednesday at Mary Immaculate Church at 10 a.m.
