As one gets to know Sam ’ s family one realizes their life story is about connections , friendships and family .

Sam and Judy Bozzo moved to Gilroy in 1976 . Sons , Dave and Greg , grew up here and both run local businesses . Sam Bozzo was inducted into the Gilroy Hall of Fame this past October . His introduction cited his many local accomplishments : adjunct faculty at San José State University , Chapman and Brandan Universities , Trustee for Gavilan College , commissioner for the City of Gilroy , restaurant owner , educator / Human Resources director , coauthor of Any Bozzo Can Cook , Garlic festival leadership and twenty-five years on the Garlic Festival Cook Off Stage , Sister City leadership , Man of the Year for the Chamber and on and on …

Sam and Judy came to Gilroy because Sam ’ s brother , Dr . Carl Bozzo , convinced them to run a restaurant in the center Carl was developing in Gilroy . The first restaurant owner had just backed out . Sam and Judy had been operating some smaller restaurant venues in San Jose and Gilroy . According to Sam , Judy ran Digger Dan ’ s , while he just helped out ! From 1974 to 1981 , Digger Dan ’ s was the “ Cheers ” of Gilroy .

The history of connections continues … how else could a restaurant owner - educator - volunteer get paired up with Gene Sakahara to fill in at a cooking demonstration on the Garlic Festival Cook Off Stage ? After a last-minute cancellation Gene and Sam teamed up as the “ SakaBozzo , Twins Separated at Birth .” Their cooking comedy routine lasted for twenty-five years and took them to other festivals and events as Garlic Festival ambassadors . Both Gene and Sam are Past- Presidents of the Gilroy Garlic Festival . SakaBozzo also co-authored the book , Any Bozzo Can Cook and they are in the process of producing a second edition for the Garlic Festival 40th anniversary in 2018 .

Judy , the quiet one of this bunch , has been the nurse she always wanted to be . Judy has twenty-five-years of experience as a nurse with most of that time in home health and hospice care .

Her seven years running Digger Dan ’ s was “ incredibly fun but a lot of work .” The Bozzo commitment to family was evident in policy that employees could not work both Saturday and Sunday . Everyone needs some time with family !

Judy is especially proud of the fact that both boys have chosen to live and raise their families here in Gilroy . Sam and Judy host Nana & Grandpa Camp during the summer , featuring art and science , and cooking lessons together . Around the holidays they always take time to prepare ravioli and to enjoy some fresh crab , a family favorite . One Thanksgiving , a few

years back , the boys announced to Nana & Grandpa that if they wanted to see the grandkids on the holidays they would have to join them in Hawaii . And they did !

Dave , the oldest , operates Gilroy Grill Catering and is the chef at the Elk ’ s Lodge . Dave and his crew do a lot of catering . During one recent span of nine days they catered fourteen events . While Dave has operated restaurants , The Grill at Gilroy Golf Course and Bozzo ’ s in the old Digger Dan ’ s location , he quickly figured out that the restaurant business was not for him . He claims it was on the second night at Bozzo ’ s that he came to that realization . He describes a catering job as a one-check solution while a restaurant is a hundred small checks . Dave is also involved with the Sportsman Chefs . He is a regular behind the scenes and on stage at the Garlic Festival . Dave lives in town with Jill Fick and together they are raising their son , Dominic .

Greg , the younger son , tells the story of when he was in junior high school and got caught riding his motorcycle on First Street . The officer , upon realizing he was Sam Bozzo ’ s kid , sent him on his way with a warning . Greg then began to value connectedness and his father ’ s influence in Gilroy . Greg graduated from CalPoly in San Louis Obispo , and like most of the Bozzo family has also worked in restaurants . But his first love is the outdoors and growing things . Greg and wife , Lora , own GB Landscaping . Their landscape design work is evident throughout Gilroy .

David Bozzo at home in his kitchen at the Elk ’ s Lodge on the Hill where he whips up amazing dinners for groups and lunch for the Gilroy Rotary Club every Tuesday .

SakaBozzo , Twins Separated at Birth team throws in their apron after entertaining and cooking their way into the hearts of Gilroy Garlic Festival goers for 25 years .

GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016 gmhtoday . com

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