Jonathan D. Sellitto

Jonathan was the younger of two sons born to Loreen (DiGiovanni) and Matthew Sellitto, in Summit, NJ. He attended The Peck School and Portsmouth Abbey School, Portsmouth, RI. Jonathan graduated from the College of Charleston where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and the Hospitality/Management Assoc. of Charleston. After attending the Culinary Institute in Florence, ITALY , he moved to the Boston area where he trained with and worked for the Barbara Lynch Gruppo as a butcher and charcutier.

Jonathan partnered with Chefs Angus Brown and Nhan Le to open the restaurant, LUSCA, in Atlanta, GA. In addition to running the charcuterie program, Jonathan was instrumental in helping LUSCA achieve significant recognition including being named as a top new restaurant by GQ Magazine and as a James Beard Award semi-finalist. In 2015, he was selected by Atlanta Magazine as “one of the greatest charcutiers in the country.” In the past year, Jonathan had begun development and construction of a butcher shop/restaurant of his own, “George and Matthew’s” which was to be located in Natick, MA.

It was clear to all who knew Jonathan that the center of his universe was his daughter, Finley, who even at her young age reflects his joyful spirit. He was passionate about many things in addition to his work, especially his family and the many friends he loved so dearly. Jonathan was able to add humor to almost any situation and was always eager to take on a new challenge. He was fiercely loyal and generous in every way.

In addition to his precious daughter, Finley, Jonathan is survived by his wife Andrea Stackland-Winterer, his parents, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother Matthew, who died on September 11, 2001.

A memorial service to celebrate Jonathan will be held at the Church of Christ the King, New Vernon, NJ on Saturday, March 25, 12 noon. The family asks that those who knew and loved Jonathan bring special memories and photos for inclusion in a memory book being prepared for Finley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Matthew C. Sellitto Foundation, PO Box 1, New Vernon, NJ 07976.