He was 71.
Vento founded his take-out eatery, Geno's Steaks, in South Philadelphia in 1966. But he made headlines for his political views five years ago, after posting a sign at the eatery that read: "This is America. When ordering, "SPEAK ENGLISH.' "
Since then, Vento achieved local-celebrity status by speaking out -- in person, on conservative talk shows and in his own radio ads -- on issues like immigration and health care reform.
His political views were just part of Vento's personality, said Joseph Perno, Geno's night manager and Vento's nephew.
"He was very energetic and strong-willed, a get-things-done kind of guy. He didn't accept mediocrity," said Perno, who also noted his uncle's extensive charitable activities.
"He donated a lot of stuff to a lot of causes," said Perno. "He was lucky and successful and he helped a lot of people."
Perno noted Geno's continued its round-the-clock operations even after Vento was stricken around 5:30 p.m.
"We're all very upset but we're doing our jobs," said Perno, who lives in Voorhees. "That's what he would have wanted.
"And the customers are still coming."
On Tuesday night, as some workers wept on the job, a sizable crowd had gathered outside the neon-lit landmark at 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue.
David Ralston, a regular customer from South Philadelphia, described Vento as "a pillar of society."
He said the speak-English sign, which drew a complaint from Philadelphia's Commission on Human Relations, "might have seemed politically incorrect at the time. But sometimes, conflict creates movement and that's what Joey Vento did."
Hany Desiyanti, an Indonesian woman living in Philadelphia, said she routinely ordered cheesesteaks by the sign that some view as offensive to immigrants.
"I'm not really offended," said Desiyanti, eating cheesesteaks and cheese fries with visitors from Amsterdam. "It's just talking."
Source http://www.courierpostonline.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment