Beloved Bridgeport Culinary Arts Instructor Mourned

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Phil Cervero, known as Chef C to his students at Bridgeport's Bullard-Havens Technical High School, died on Friday at the age of 66, following a battle against cancer. He is being remembered for his warmth and kindness.

Chef C was born in Italy, but long called Connecticut home, and was a culinary teacher in Bridgeport for 20 years.

Following his retirement, Cervero reportedly remained involved with many of his students by supporting their various endeavors.

"I learned a lot from him," Charles Fuller, one of Cervero's former students, told News 12 Connecticut. "The man had such a warm heart."

In addition to Bullard-Havens, Cervero also taught at Wright Tech and Eli Whitney, according to his obituary on Legacy.com.

According to a previous GoFundMe campaign during his cancer fight, Cervero suffered from an aggressive form of Squamous Cell cancer, which had spread to his lymph nodes.

Cervero is survived by his wife, Lori Coates; his children, Jennifer and Caitlyn Cervero, Robert Cervero, older brothers Tony and Rev. Joe Cervero, and Amanda and Greg Mora, and others.

A memorial service for Cervero is scheduled for 10 a.m. on April 22 at Saint Margaret Mary Church in Shelton, and a celebration of his life will also be held at 11 a.m. on July 16 at Booth Memorial Park in Stratford.

Read the News 12 Connecticut story.

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