A Pizza Tradition

John D. Cramer’s coverage of San Diego’s illustrious George Pernicano and his $50,000 mustache (“Days of Fun and Olive Oil,” July 23) was fascinating and nostalgic to those of us who have been doing business with the family since their arrival here 44 years ago.

But not all “ten brothers” have retired, with just George’s sons carrying on the family tradition. Brother John has been peddling pizza and antipastos, and a variety of other Italian culinary delights, for more than 35 years in La Jolla. As a Mission Bay High student, in 1955, I got pizza donations for our junior Kiwanis Key-Club benefits. John is at the helm of his Turquoise Street family restaurant almost every night, with John Jr. tossing the pizza and daughters Marlene and Debbie getting it to the tables on time. John plays piano to entertain the crowd, most of whom he knows, and darts into the kitchen to see that supplies are adequate and his quality up to Pernicano perfection.

There’s at least one brother keeping the flame alive, with his son and daughters, along with dozens of other Pernicanos in our community.

MICHAEL SCHAEFER

San Diego