LORENZO’S SANDWICH SHOP OWNER DIES AT 52

Chris Lorenz remembered for compassion, packing full sandwiches

WEST CHESTER >> Local sandwich shop owner Chris Lorenz, of Coatesville, died suddenly Sunday while playing basketball.

Lorenz owned Lorenzo’s Steaks and Hoagies, an institution, in the borough for 21 years. The shop, at 216 E. Market St., popular with courthouse workers, residents, students and borough workers, was originally located on High Street.

Daughter Jessica Lorenz said the shop will stay in business.

Lorenzo’s (not to be confused with a similarly named pizza shop in the borough) is known for packing steaks and hoagies full of meat.

“The biggest and best anywhere,” was the shop’s motto, according to Jessica Lorenz.

Wife Nancy Lorenz said that her husband’s passing at age 52 is an incredible loss and he was “loved very, very much.”

When not working six days per week, Lorenz enjoyed street hockey, basketball and working out.

Rigo Cruz has worked at the sandwich shop for more than a year.

“He was one of the fairest and kindest men,” Cruz said about Lorenz. “He treated his employees with a lot of respect and he was always looking out for them. I don’t have any bad memories.”

Cruz said it is especially gratifying when former county residents take the shop’s sandwiches back to their new out-of-state homes in Virginia, Georgia, New Jersey and Maryland.

Christopher Lorenz Jr. enjoyed working with his father.

“He had a great sense of humor,” Christopher Jr. said. “He was always trying to make me smile through the day.”

Visitation will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Compass Pa., Saturday, March 25 from 9:30 to 11 a.m., with a service following at 11:30 a.m.

“He was one of the fairest and kindest men. He treated his employees with a lot of respect and he was always looking out for them. I don’t have any bad memories.” — Rigo Cruz

SUBMITTED PHOTO Chris Lorenz, 52, of Coatesville, owner of Lorenzo’s Steaks and Hoagies in West Chester, died suddenly Sunday, March 19.