Mayor Garcetti, Others, React to Death of Art Ginsburg

On Friday, Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian will close the council in memory of Art's Deli founder Art Ginsburg. 

Krekorian said on Facebook:

"Sending my warmest wishes to the Ginsburg family as they - and all of us - mourn the loss of Art. You may remember him as the owner of Art's Deli in Studio City, but he was so much more than a patron of pastrami. Art gave so much of himself to Studio City and beyond. He worked with the Studio City Improvement Association, Studio City Chamber of Commerce and Studio City Residents Association to improve our local economy and deliver long lasting upgrades to Ventura Boulevard. He also gave so much back to L.A. Valley College, where he set up scholarships and served on the Board of Directors after having been a student there six decades ago. Studio City and the entire San Fernando Valley is a better place today than it was before Art moved here in 1953. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on forever."

Reactions from all over have come pouring in.

Newly-elected Mayor Eric Garcetti said:

"I'm saddened to hear of the death of Art Ginsburg. He made an indelible impression on the Los Angeles landscape when he opened his deli in 1957 and created a favorite gathering place for the San Fernando Valley.  Even after his retirement, his children have honored their father's dedication by making sure 'every sandwich is a work of Art.'  And Art's commitment to his community extended beyond the walls of his deli and through the last days of his life.  His death is a loss for Los Angeles and he will be greatly missed."

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield said:

"Saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, Art Ginsburg. Art and his eponymous deli have been Valley fixtures since opening in 1957. For more than half a century, Art welcomed San Fernando Valley families, including my own, in to his restaurant as if it were his own home. He will be missed, not only for his warmth, generosity, and generously portioned sandwiches, but also for his tireless civic engagement and contributions to our Valley and to our city. My thoughts are with his family as they go through this difficult time."

On their Facebook page,  https://www.facebook.com/ArtsDeli it is overwhelmed with reactions.

Janis Hood, whose family ran Henry's Tacos for more than half a century, was very close to Art and his family. She wrote: "Art and his family were special to us. My late parents and I were proud to call them customers and proud to support Art's Deli. My sympathy to the Ginsburgs; he was a sweetheart."

Art knew many famous faces that came through his deli (and still do) including Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Ernest Borgnine, Warren Beatty and more.

Art is survived by his wife Sandy, his son Harold, who now runs the restaurant; daughters Roberta and Beverly; and five grandchildre:  Ariella, Samuel, Benjamin, Sophia, Lauren, brother to Eli (Rochelle), Uncle to Ellen (Steve), Carolyn (Rob), Great Uncle to nieces and nephews. -

See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/latimes/obituary.aspx?n=arthur-abraham-ginsburg&pid=166047615&eid=s...

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Los Angeles Valley College Foundation in memory of Art Ginsburg. Los Angeles Valley College Foundation, Attention Raul Castillo, 5800 Fulton Avenue, Valley Glen, CA 91401. For more information, go to lavcfoundation.org.

Services are set for 11 a.m. Friday, July 26 at Sholom Memorial Park in Sylmar.

* See the obit in the Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-art-ginsburg-20130726,0,1882266.story?track=rss&utm_sou...