Geno's Steaks owner Joey Vento dies of massive heart attack

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) - The owner of the landmark South Philadelphia cheesesteak stand who once told customers to order in English has died.

Family members confirm to Action News that 71-year-old Geno's Steaks owner Joey Vento has died of a massive heart attack on the way to the hospital.

His family said Vento had recently undergone successful surgery for colon/rectal cancer after being diagnosed last year and was continuing to come to work just about every day at 4:00 a.m.

This made the news of his death shocking to his family and his staff.

"We got word over the phone...you just feel it, everybody's heart just dropped," employee Joe Skats said.