Donald S. “Buddy” LaRosa—thee one and only Buddy LaRosa who founded LaRosa’s Family Pizzaria—celebrated his 90th birthday on Tuesday, August 25 surrounded virtually by family and fans in the media via Zoom press conference.

Buddy’s sons, Michael LaRosa (LaRosa’s CEO) and Mark LaRosa (LaRosa’s President and Chief Culinary Officer), along with granddaughter, Christina LaRosa (general counsel at LaRosa’s), honored Buddy and his local legacy during the video chat. He had been self-isolating during the pandemic since mid-March, which is why a virtual celebration was the next best thing to a birthday party.