Co-owner of Antonio's Brick Oven Pizza in Metuchen with 'gift of gab' dies of COVID-19

Antonio's Brick Oven Pizza has been a Main Street Metuchen staple for nearly three decades.

But since last Friday, it will be changed forever.

Co-owner Jason "Jay" Coppola, a 47-year-old Middlesex resident, died last Friday of COVID-19 complications. Services were held Thursday.

“Jason – a gentle giant, who was much loved by family and friends in Brooklyn, Boston, Florida, New Jersey and New York,” his obituary read. "He … enjoyed watching his favorite teams, NY Mets, NY Giants and Napoli’s soccer team. The world has lost an amazing human. Heaven is smiling.”

Antonio's Brick Oven Pizza co-owner Jason 'Jay' Coppola, right, with restaurant manager Michael Lowenthal.
Antonio's Brick Oven Pizza co-owner Jason 'Jay' Coppola, right, with restaurant manager Michael Lowenthal.

Antonio’s Brick Oven Pizza manager Michael Lowenthal has worked at the restaurant for 17 years and had been friends with Coppola for 20 years. He said many customers who have come into the restaurant in the past few days have offered their condolences.

They include Metuchen Mayor Jonathan M. Busch, who wrote a tribute to Coppola on his Facebook page. In the post, Busch said Coppola was one of the first people he met when he moved to Metuchen, and his family would order from Antonio’s at least once per week.

“Whether Jay and I spoke about our New York Mets, politics or any of the movies that he would be watching while making pizza, he was always jovial and ready to debate the next topic,” Busch said. “Our banter was always so much fun. I can still picture Jay sharing one of his thoughts while turning one of his delicious pies with his wooden peel to get it further back in the wood burning oven.”

According to Lowenthal, this “gift of gab” was one of Coppola’s most iconic qualities.

“He could talk to anyone,” Lowenthal said. “He had the gift of gab … He kept people from thinking they were actually waiting for their food. He made it feel like they were visiting a friend.”

Lowenthal said Coppola was very interested in the Metuchen community and he always wanted to know what was going on in town. That’s been clear from the community’s reaction to his death.

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“Over the last few days, I have heard from a number of residents who shared their stories about Jay and how kind he was to so many,” Busch continued in his tribute. “Jay left his mark on our Main Street and we will miss him dearly.”

The restaurant, which is co-owned by Coppola’s brother Robert Coppola, plans to stay open. It’s survived the pandemic, two recessions and 9/11, and Coppola was very proud that it is the oldest restaurant on Main Street — and perhaps the oldest business on the street, Lowenthal said.

The Coppola family purchased Antonio’s Brick Oven Pizza just a few months after it was founded by the original owners in 1994. At the time, it was one of the only local pizzerias to offer brick oven pizza as the concept had not reached the popularity it now enjoys.

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“We just held our own and made our own thing,” Lowenthal said. “This is still a shock. We’re just doing what we can, working with the family to figure out how to keep things and the legacy going for now.”

Jenna Intersimone.
Jenna Intersimone.

Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA Today Network New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Contact: JIntersimone@Gannett.com or @JIntersimone.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Jason Coppola of Antonio's Brick Oven Pizza in Metuchen dies of COVID