Born in St. Catherine, Ontario, on December 11th 1941, he was the son of Frederick and Florence Timoteo.
From a young age it was clear Tim would become an entrepreneur. When he wasn’t excelling in hockey he was starting his own small businesses hustling newspapers and selling popcorn at local ball parks.
His hockey career flourished even signing an entry level contract with the Montreal Canadian organization when he was just 14 years old. His dream was cut short due to an injury but he wasted no time jumping on a train to the US to start his own American Dream where he was able to become a citizen and join the US Navy.
After the Navy, Tim met his first wife Joan and started his first restaurant venture as a KFC Franchisee. They then welcomed their son Mitchell to the world and moved to Eastern Pennsylvania where he created the Mr. Angus Restaurant chain and then Fast Freddie’s Steak Palace in Ontario, Canada with his family.
During his time in Pennsylvania, Tim established himself as a pilar of the community co-founding the Lehigh Valley Youth Hockey League, President of the Lehigh Valley Restaurant Association and became a member of the Young Presidents' Organization.
After a few unfortunate economic factors, Mr.T had to shut the doors of his restaurants and move to South Florida to start over by Founding RJ. Gator’s in 1986.
With the help of his late wife Joan and son Mitch they were able to establish RJ. Gators as a dining staple in South Florida and eventually expanding over the US with close to 30 locations. This expansion even resulted in Tim being named one of the Top 50 CEO’s bringing their restaurant company into the new millennium alongside some big names like then CEO Howard Schultz of Starbucks.
After the passing of Joan, Tim would meet his wife Janet Nichols who became a loving wife, life partner and grandmother.
In 2007, Tim’s motto in life was: It’s not what happens to you in life but how you handle it. Tim found himself having to start over a fourth time and decided to change courses by becoming a restaurant consultant and real estate agent but felt he needed to do what he does best, creating a new restaurant concept. Berry Fresh Café in Port St. Lucie was established in 2009 and has now expanded to three locations and just announced a fourth location coming to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida in 2023.
Tim was a passionate, driven, positive man of faith. While Tim was a successful businessman, leader and mentor, his biggest accomplishment was his family. Berry Fresh Café became a labor of love for him and in 2019 wanted his son Mitch to take over and continue in his footsteps. He was also overjoyed when his grandson Michael joined the family business in 2020 and is also carrying on the Timoteo family legacy for excellence in the hospitality business for years to come.
Tim is survived by his wife Jan, their dogs Bobo and Precious, son Mitchell and his wife Laurie, brothers Brian, Cardy, Mark and sister Brenda along with their families, three grandchildren Maddison, Marissa and Michael and numerous family members in Canada.
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and his absence will be felt but he will never be forgotten.
There will be two visitations held at Aycock Funeral Home at Tradition in Port. Lucie Florida on Tuesday, January 3rd from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm and a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am on Wednesday, January 4th at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Port St. Lucie.
FAMILY
Tim is survived by his wife Jan, their dogs Bobo and Precious, son Mitchell and his wife Laurie, brothers Brian, Cardy, Mark and sister Brenda along with their families, three grandchildren Maddison, Marissa and Michael and numerous family members in Canada. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and his absence will be felt but he will never be forgotten.
v.1.1.3