08/20/2026
It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the passing of a very special member of the Crabby Bill’s family, Tony Bartolo.
Long before Tony officially joined Crabby Bill’s, he was a friend of ours for many years. We knew the person behind the title well before we ever had the privilege of calling him a teammate. When he eventually became part of our Crabby Bill’s family, it felt less like welcoming someone new and more like bringing an old friend into the family.
Tony joined Crabby Bill’s Family Brands in July of 2022 as the General Manager of The Original Crabby Bill’s. In 2025, he became Regional Manager, helping lead and support all of our locations. Anyone who worked with Tony knew how much he cared about what he did and, more importantly, about the people around him.
But Tony was so much more than his title.
He was hardworking, loyal, funny, and one of the quickest-witted people you could ever meet. Tony could walk into a room and make it feel lighter. There was always a joke, a quick comeback, or something that would catch you completely off guard and make you laugh. That was just Tony.
More than anything, Tony loved his daughter. He lived for her, and if you spent any amount of time with him, you knew just how incredibly proud he was of her. He was always talking about her, bragging about the great things she was doing and everything she was accomplishing. The pride and love he had for her came through every single time he spoke about her.
Every year, Tony and his daughter would take a vacation together to somewhere new. He looked forward to those trips so much. He would talk about where they were going, what they were planning, and how excited he was to experience another new place with her. And when he came back, you could count on Tony pulling out the pictures. He wanted to show you everything they had seen and done together. Those trips weren’t just vacations to Tony. They were memories with his daughter, and they meant the world to him.
Tony was also incredibly proud of his Italian heritage, and one of the ways he shared that love was through food. Tony loved to cook, and he was damn good at it. Cooking brought him joy, especially when he could share what he made with the people he cared about.
And, of course, there was his love for the Pittsburgh Steelers. If you knew Tony, chances are you heard about the Steelers more than once.
Tony became a big part of our Crabby Bill’s family in a relatively short amount of time. He was a leader, but he was also our friend. He was someone you could count on, someone who worked hard alongside you, and someone who could make even a difficult day a little better.
We know many of our guests got to know Tony over the years as well, especially during his time at The Original Crabby Bill’s. We hope when you think of him, you remember his smile, his sense of humor, his love of good food, and the way he made people feel welcome.
Our hearts, love, and prayers are especially with Tony’s family and his wonderful daughter, whom he loved beyond measure and was so incredibly proud of. We pray that God surrounds them with His love, strength, and comfort in the days ahead. We are grateful for every laugh, every meal, every lesson, every crazy day, and every memory we were lucky enough to share with Tony.
And while our hearts are broken, we find comfort in our faith and in knowing that Tony is now resting in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Over the years, so many special people have become part of the story of Crabby Bill’s; people whose personalities, friendships, love, and memories helped shape who we are. Tony now holds his own place in that story. The mark he left on our people and our family will not fade with his passing. We will carry his memory forward, honor the impact he made, and make sure Tony remains a part of the Crabby Bill’s story for all the years ahead. We will be sharing more about how we intend to honor and celebrate Tony in the weeks ahead.
Tony, we’re going to miss your laughter, your quick wit, your friendship, and the presence you brought into our lives every day. Crabby Bill’s simply won’t be the same without you, but we are better for having had you as part of our family.
Rest easy, Tony. You left your mark on all of us, and you will always be part of the Crabby Bill’s family and our story. We love you Tony.
Until we meet again. ❤️
