Felix Fezzuoglio, 64, deli owner

Felix Fezzuoglio, 64, founder and owner of the popular F&M Deli Restaurant & Caterers in Mount Laurel, died after minimally invasive back surgery on Wednesday, Sept. 1, in Phoenix.

While Mr. Fezzuoglio was growing up, he worked at a Jewish delicatessen in Cherry Hill. There, he "picked up Jewish traditions," said his sister, Joanne Schley, such as what is eaten during Jewish holidays and how certain items are prepared.

Popular and outgoing, Mr. Fezzuoglio was full of ambition.

When he heard from his father about a shopping center opening on Church Road in Mount Laurel, Mr. Fezzuoglio decided he knew enough about the deli business to open his own store.

He rounded up his mother, brother Danny, and sisters to help him get the business started.

He named the business F&M International Delicatessen and sold Italian, Jewish, and American products.

"He taught me how to cut lox," Schley said, adding that their mother, Maria, for whom the M in the deli's name stands, cooked all the meats.

The store was an instant success. Their secret? "It was very family-oriented, all homemade," Schley said.

"We're the old-fashioned type; we cook with flavor. We don't just steam vegetables; we cook with oil and garlic," Mr. Fezzuoglio said in a 2006 Inquirer article. "We make our own turkey. We make our own knishes."

Mr. Fezzuoglio expanded the deli to a full-service restaurant and added catering, which also was very successful, according to his family.

There is also a F&M franchise in Ocean City, N.J., run by his brother.

It was Mr. Fezzuoglio who added the extra touch to the deli.

"He was very outgoing and gregarious," said his wife, Dale. But behind his 6-foot-3 frame and strong personality was a "big teddy bear."

Mr. Fezzuoglio helped many charities, including raising money each year for the March of Dimes.

"He was always there for people," his wife said.

Mr. Fezzuoglio was born and raised in Cherry Hill, graduating from Cherry Hill High School West in 1965.

In 2008, he married Dale Shoyer, whom he had met in 2000. The couple enjoyed traveling all over the country.

In addition to his sister, brother, and wife, Mr. Fezzuoglio is survived by three other sisters, two stepsons, and two grandchildren. He is also survived by his first wife, Jackie Iacono.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at Bradley Funeral Home, 601 Route 73 S., Marlton. A funeral will follow at 7:30.