Chili Roaster Bob Cocuzza ~ RIP

We are truly saddened and wish to let everyone know that this week the Heirloom Farmers Market lost one of it’s own.   Bob Cocuzza was a farmers market fixture, many of you knew him as the Guy with the roasted vegetables.  Each week shoppers at the markets would stop by the market information and ask for the roasted chile guy.  Bob helped build many of our markets with his selection of roasted vegetables and especially his Hatch Chiles.  Bob originated from New Jersey and still had a slight accent even though he lived in Tucson for a number of years.  He would regale many of us with his childhood stories of growing up in the streets of New Jersey, many were filled with his adventures with the mob.  He was a great man, storyteller, family man and a member of our food community.  Bob is survived by his wife Joanne, 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren.

The services will be this Saturday, July 12th at Vistoso Funeral Home, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Bld. Oro Valley, AZ 85755.  The visitation / service will be from 12 -2pm.

You will still find all the roasted vegetables at the market, Bob left a legacy with his trained employees who will continue the tradition of offering freshly roasted vegetables on Friday at Jesse Owens Park, Saturday at Oro Valley Steam Pump Ranch and Rillito Park.

*Chris of Red’s Roasters has continued Bob’s legacy of roasting at all three markets.