Gilroy Garlic Festival co-founder was 80
Gilroy Garlic Festival co-founder was 80
Valentino Filice, a Gilroy, CA-native and farmer whose cooking skills helped established the Gilroy Garlic Festival as the pre-eminent garlic festival in the world, died Sunday, Nov. 4 after succumbing to pancreatic cancer. He was 80.
Mr. Filice had been recruited in 1978 by festival co-founders Don Christopher of Gilroy-based Christopher Ranch and the late Rudy Melone to organize the festival's primary food concession. Mr. Filice directed that concession -- called Gourmet Alley -- and had a hand in festival operations until his death.
Mr. Christopher said that when he relocated in 1957 to the Gilroy area, where he didn't know anybody, Mr. Filice lent him piping for his farming operation. "Val was probably the most photographed person of the festival," Mr. Christopher said. "It was his looks, his actions, how he talked. He was the face of the festival."
Garlic festival Executive Director Brian Bowe said that it was Mr. Filice's family recipes that contributed to Gourmet Alley. Mr. Filice began as the head chef at the event and always was an honorary chef. His son, Bob, has carried on the family tradition as a chef at the festival, Mr. Bowe said.
"His contributions to the festival were immeasurable," Mr. Bowe said, adding that Mr. Filice always cooked a meal for the festival volunteers on the Thursday night prior to the start of the festival.
"He was a larger-than-life figure," Mr. Bowe said. "He was an icon of the garlic festival. He will be sorely missed."
The Gilroy Garlic Festival has drawn more than 3 million visitors in 29 years for the three-day celebration at the end of July that has raised nearly $8 million for local charity.
Mr. Filice is survived by his children Valerie Filice of Hollister and Bob Filice of Gilroy; grandchildren Gavin Liotta, Dominic Filice and Robby Filice, all of Gilroy; a brother, Ernie Filice of Gilroy; and sisters Viola Carr of Gilroy and Clara Bruni of San Jose. He was predeceased by his wife, Elsie.
A funeral mass was scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 8 at St. Mary's Church in Gilroy. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Filice's memory to St. Joseph's Center (Gilroy) or St. Mary's School Sports Program are preferred and appreciated.
Mr. Filice had been recruited in 1978 by festival co-founders Don Christopher of Gilroy-based Christopher Ranch and the late Rudy Melone to organize the festival's primary food concession. Mr. Filice directed that concession -- called Gourmet Alley -- and had a hand in festival operations until his death.
Mr. Christopher said that when he relocated in 1957 to the Gilroy area, where he didn't know anybody, Mr. Filice lent him piping for his farming operation. "Val was probably the most photographed person of the festival," Mr. Christopher said. "It was his looks, his actions, how he talked. He was the face of the festival."
Garlic festival Executive Director Brian Bowe said that it was Mr. Filice's family recipes that contributed to Gourmet Alley. Mr. Filice began as the head chef at the event and always was an honorary chef. His son, Bob, has carried on the family tradition as a chef at the festival, Mr. Bowe said.
"His contributions to the festival were immeasurable," Mr. Bowe said, adding that Mr. Filice always cooked a meal for the festival volunteers on the Thursday night prior to the start of the festival.
"He was a larger-than-life figure," Mr. Bowe said. "He was an icon of the garlic festival. He will be sorely missed."
The Gilroy Garlic Festival has drawn more than 3 million visitors in 29 years for the three-day celebration at the end of July that has raised nearly $8 million for local charity.
Mr. Filice is survived by his children Valerie Filice of Hollister and Bob Filice of Gilroy; grandchildren Gavin Liotta, Dominic Filice and Robby Filice, all of Gilroy; a brother, Ernie Filice of Gilroy; and sisters Viola Carr of Gilroy and Clara Bruni of San Jose. He was predeceased by his wife, Elsie.
A funeral mass was scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 8 at St. Mary's Church in Gilroy. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Filice's memory to St. Joseph's Center (Gilroy) or St. Mary's School Sports Program are preferred and appreciated.
