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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