Brick Oven Owner Remembered for Energy, Love of Family

Brick Oven owner Frank Vasfailo is being remembered in the downtown business community for his energy and love of family as services are being planned following his sudden passing.

Vasfailo, whose family opened Brick Oven 17 years ago, was killed in a single car accident in the early morning hours of Saturday morning. He was traveling alone southbound on the Garden State Parkway when he lost control of his car near Exit 136 in Cranford. He died several hours later at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.

The 38-year old Vasfailo had worked at Brick Oven since the day it opened. Friends who worked with him at the restaurant remembered his commitment to the business and customers.

"He loved the restaurant and he loved the people who came in," close friend Aurelio Cardoso said. "This place was a huge part of his life."

Cardoso remembered the amount of time that Vasfailo worked at Brick Oven.

"Even when he was off, he was here," he said.

At the same time, Cardoso remembers Vasfailo's love of family, including his wife, son, parents and sister.

"He loved his family," he said.

Vasfailo and his wife, Gina, celebrated the birth of their son, Frank IV, five months ago. The younger Vasfiolo's baptism had been scheduled for Sunday.

Paul Birkell, the owner of DeliveryNow, had worked with Vasfailo since Brick Oven opened. He said he remembers him for his energy the ideas that he brought to the restaurant.

"He worked hard keeping the restaurant open during a tough recession," Birkell said. "He has been innovative in keeping the menu fresh, innovative and affordable."

Vasfailo's desire to be innovative in his business was remembered by Downtown Westfield Corporation Sherry Cronin. She remembered how Vasfailo became a supporter of the DWC's Restaurant Week initiative over the past few years, including this past February's which was extended a week due to a blizzard. Cronin said the week extension was not enough for Vasfailo, who decided to make the $10 lunch special a permanent addition to Brick Oven.

The desire to continue Restaurant Week for many weeks earned Vasfailo honors from the DWC just this month.

"He is going to be sadly missed," Cronin said, noting the DWC has sent a wreath to his family. "Quimby Street will not be the same without Frank."

Besides Brick Oven, Vasfailo's sudden passing is being felt hard at neighboring Robert Treat Deli, where he was a breakfast regular. Robert Treat owner Jack Kasich said Vasfailo would come in for breakfast daily, sitting at the same table and enjoying the chance to talk with the staff and other regulars. While he had plenty of food at his own restaurant, Kasich said Vasfailo came for breakfast for more than the food.

"He would come in here for breakfast because he enjoyed the company," Kasich said. "He would make you laugh. We had a lot of good times. He has been gone two days and I miss him already."

Kasich remembers Vasfailo always being willing to pitch in and help others, especially in the downtown business community. Just days ago, Kasich's brother mentioned needing a ride to pick up his car from the garage and Vasfailo offered to drive him. Kasich also remembers how Vasfailo would also bring over any supplies that the deli may have run out of and the Brick Oven had in surplus.

Cronin remembers his giving spirit as well. She said he was a supporter of the DWC's annual Taste of the Town holiday party. This past year, she said he came through with donations before she called.

"Nobody had a bigger heart than him," Cardoso said.

Other business owners mentioned his love of family. Kasich remembers how Vasfailo would come in and talk about Sunday dinners at his parents' house with extended family and talk a lot about his wife and son. Birkell said that in the past 17 years he has noticed how Birkell's focused changed more from business to family as he married, settled down and then had his son. In recent months, Birkell remembers Vasfiolo would talk about his son whenever they discussed business.

"He was focused on his new son," Birkell said.

Services for Vasfailo will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday at Galante Funeral Home in Union Township. The funeral home is located at 2800 Morris Avenue close to the border with Springfield. Services will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on both days. Cronin said she has been hearing that many in the Westfield business community are planning to attend to pay their respects.