John Amato, 'Master Mozzarella Maker' And Owner Of Fiore's Deli In Hoboken, Dies At 88

HOBOKEN, NJ — The homemade mozzarella cheese at Fiore's House of Quality, a deli on the west side of Hoboken, is so popular that lines wind around the block in the wee hours at Christmastime. But the owner and "master mozzarella maker" who has worked there since 1948 has died, the restaurant announced Wednesday.

John Amato, 88, bought the store from Mr. Fiore in 1965 after having worked there 17 years, says a post from the store.

While his family will carry on the tradition, their patriarch will be missed, said a social media post on Wednesday.

Amato had begun working at the store when he was 15, according to an older history. He had sold products to Frank and Dolly Sinatra, who lived in the neighborhood.

"Frankie was a salami buff," Amato said in an interview in 2010. "Dolly mostly came in to buy pasta, cold cuts, meats."

Of John Amato, the store said in its message, "His favorite part of his day was working with his family, especially with his son, John Jr. and welcoming all that entered the store, his 2nd home. He helped so many and never wanted anything in return. He was kind, warm-hearted, and loving."

Read more of the post about Amato and the store here.