Louis Joseph Teceno had many important roles at the Merchants Way On the Bay restaurant on Main Street, including owner, manager, pizza chef, delivery man, and raconteur to customers and friends. But to his staff, his most important role -- and the role in which "Louie," who passed away suddenly at age 58 from complications due to a stomach procedure to correct diverticulitis, will be missed most -- was that of father.

"It's just hard," said Louie's widow Denise, who is in charge of the front of the house and works as a hostess and waitress. "He was a partner in life and partner in business."

Originally from Middleborough, the Tecenos operated The Courtyard Pizza for over a decade before buying a cottage and moving to Wareham. They were thinking of retiring to Florida when the opportunity to buy Merchants Way On the Bay, then a breakfast place, arose in 2007. They purchased and completely remodeled the restaurant, opening in the spring of 2008. They were excited to operate year-round for the first time this year, but now the slow and quiet days of winter bring constant reminders of a tragic loss.

Son Ryan, 29, has taken over delivery duties in addition to his regular role as the chef and fry cook. He has found his father's shoes hard to fill.

"People ask, 'Where's the guy in the shorts?' all the time," Ryan said, in reference to his father's predilection for bare calves even while bounding over snowbanks to deliver pizza.

And friends visit to share plenty of stories about Lou's animated story-telling, generosity and personality.

"If he didn't have you laughing, then nobody could," said George Millett of Middleborough, pausing over one of the Tecenos' signature garlic and cheese pizzas. The two met eight years ago when a mutual friend offered Millett a spot on a group vacation to Cancun. "I said, 'I don't know them, will they let me go?' But we had a blast, and our friendship just took off from there." said Millett. The two were planning another group excursion to Peurto Vallerta.

Meanwhile, the family is hoping that hard work and keeping busy will enable them to get through the personal as well as economic hardship presented by losing their business leader in the midst of the winter season and an economic recession.

Lou's grandson Andrew, the son of the Lou's eldest, Mike, 34, has started working at the restaurant, as have Ryan's wife and Mike's fiancee.

A memorial benefit will be held at the Middleborough Elks on January 29, 2010, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets cost $5, and proceeds will go to help support the family. The evening will feature food, a live and silent auction, prizes and more.

"Everybody's pulling together," said Denise.

For any further information about the memorial benefit, or to purchase tickets, please contact Mike Teceno at 774-930-1234.