Gary Canter, grandson of the founder of Canter’s Deli, died Tuesday of an apparent heart attack.
According to a post by his family on his Facebook page, the attack took place around 7 p.m. “We are preparing funeral arrangements and will keep you posted,” the family said. “And to all of you he called ‘Buddy Buddy’ – he loved you and this city will never be the same without him!”
Canter’s was founded by Ben Canter in Boyle Heights in 1931 and moved in 1953 to 419 N. Fairfax Ave., just a few blocks south of West Hollywood. While it isn’t located in WeHo, Cante’rs and Greenblatt’s Deli and Wine Shop, located at 8017 Sunset Blvd., have long been the go-to places for residents hungry for a Kosher matzo ball soup or pastrami sandwich.
Gary Canter, 58, was co-owner of the deli with Terri Bloomgarden, his cousin. It remains open on its regular 24-hour schedule.
Just read this, what a horrible tragedy. 58 is just way too young to die. Canter’s Deli is an L.A. institution – and Gary Canter helped make it that way. Rest in peace GC, wherever you are