Burt Katz, 78. Beloved husband of Sharon Katz; devoted father of Ean (Rob) Woodbury, Adam (Christina) Katz, and Andra (Chris) Bannister; proud grandfather of Zoe Katz, Jason Katz, Natalie Bannister, Lindsey Woodbury, Dylan Woodbury, Sydney Bannister, and the late Lauren Woodbury; dear brother of the late Harriet Shapiro. Burt was a pizza master- he was the founder of Pequods in Morton Grove and long-time owner of Burt's Place in Morton Grove. Funeral service Tues, 11:30 AM, at Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 111 Skokie Blvd, Wilmette. Interment Waldheim. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org. For info: 847-256-5700.

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Published by Chicago Tribune on May 2, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Burt Katz

39 Entries

Mom and dad with grandkids, Lindsey and Dylan

Ean Woodbury

May 11, 2016

Danny Thomas

May 10, 2016

I am so sorry to hear that Burt passed away. I only knew him for a couple of years. I am glad I got to know him and chat with him and Sharon a few times.

jeff

May 9, 2016

Glad to have made it there so many times both last places grest sauce.

Thinking of Burt and Sharon, and many happy memories for the last 35 years.

May 7, 2016

Stopped by the 'store' as Burt always called it yesterday to snap a photo or two. The customer and family notes taped to the outside of the front window were poignant. Burt and Sharon used to cook a Christmas meal, gratis, for inner city kids. Did you know that? Not many did because Burt almost never spoke of it. God bless you, Burt.

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Bob Bermant

May 6, 2016

I was so saddened by the loss of my cousin Burt. I had not seen him in many years due to living in CA. I am heartened that I had the opportunity to see him the year before he closed the restaurant. I have many fond memories of him from childhood and on. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Wally Klinger

May 5, 2016

Dear Sharon:

Janet and I are terribly saddened by Burt's death. Please accept our sincerest sympathies at this terrible hour.

I have known Burt since the late 70's when he had the Restaurant in Morton Grove. His wit and charm were infectious, and left quite the impression on a (then) young man.

His sense of honor and duty were not lost to me. I remember very well that he was an active member of the Skokie Freedom Committee along with other friends such as Sig Shore, Bob Lieberman, Gene Adelman, Robert Kohn, etc. He fought hard against the Morton grove ban as well.

I will miss our talks (both long and short depending on how busy the store was)on all sorts of subjects such as radios and .22's; and I specifically remember that he was an early morning fixture at the old Lake County show along with Joe Schroeder and Jose Hernandez.

His culinary abilities need no introduction or reminder. Pequod's and later Burt's was my absolute favorite place to go eat. So much so that when Janet and I brought our daughter home from China, that Burt's Place was the very first restaurant that we brought her into.... No kidding.

The world was a better place with Burt in it; we are now a little less off with him gone.

May 4, 2016

Our deepest condolences to the entire Katz family. You are in our prayers.
The Gallardos

May 3, 2016

Dear Sharon,
My deepest condolences regarding Burt's passing. He and you made quite a team as husband and wife and owners of Burt's Place in Morton Grove.He was a unique human being. Once you met him you never forgot him. He was kind and gentle to all. May his memory be a blessing for you and the family forever.
Shel Marcus (Morton Grove)

Mike Wolstein

May 3, 2016

Mike Wolstein

May 3, 2016

To say that Burt will be missed is the understatement of the decade. His food, his personality, his crazy sense of humor and good-naturedness were traits we don't see much of any more. Hard to say goodbye after knowing Burt and enjoying the best pizza on earth for over 43 years.

Mike Wolstein

joyce wolfman sacks

May 3, 2016

Dear Sharon, I am so sorry about Burt,
only those who have a long time marriage
like you and I have had can understand the deep
bond between a husband and wife after so many years together.

I know how much you will miss Burt and
I understand how deep the loss of him
is for you.

I wish I were in Chicago now to hug you
and be there for you when you needed the
support of old friends.

love
Joyce Wolfman Sacks
Westlake Village, CA

Lance

May 3, 2016

A king among men. Godspeed Burt.

Doreen Pricone

May 3, 2016

Dear Sharon,
Words cannot describe how much we all miss you and Burt....many memories and many pizzas over the years ..... and they were all great ones!

You are both sorely missed and loved,
Vanessa

My moms first Burt's place expierience

David Hessing

May 3, 2016

May 2, 2016

Dear Sharon and family;

So sorry to hear of Burt's passing. You have my deepest condolences.

Fondly,
Barbara Chandler

jean eisenstot

May 2, 2016

Sharon, I am so sorry to hear of your husband's passing.My daughter-in law just
told me that her father Jordan Berliner was a friend of Burt's. Our kids live in Buffalo GROVE AND REMEMBER GOING TO YOU RETURANT. May you find comfort in your family. Cousin Jean Golden Eisenstot

May 2, 2016

It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our dear and loyal friend, Burt Katz. He shared our good times, our sad times, and through it all remained a dear friend. We first met Burt 42 years ago but it seems like only yesterday. Burt and Barry had so much in common, from their love of antiques and history to their gray beards. Our sincere condolences to Sharon, Andi, Adam and Ean.

Marlene & Barry Rottman

May 2, 2016

To Sharon and the entire Katz family,
We are so sorry about your great loss. Burt was a kind man and very friendly. I have enjoyed the many conversations I had with him as we both pulled up to our houses at the same time. He was a very hard worker and left quite a reputation and legacy. May these difficult times be made a bit easier as you remember the good times.

Regina and Chuck Corush

May 2, 2016

May the God of all comfort, comfort you during your loss.

Andrew LaLiberty

May 2, 2016

Sharon (and Family): I'm really sorry about Burt. Some people might say its the Pizza they'll miss but it's you and Burt that made it so special. You both were always so great to our family. Rest assured he's in a better place.

Lori & Steve Pearson

May 2, 2016

May you find comfort in knowing that good-byes only last a moment, but love and memories remain in our hearts forever.

Our thoughts are with your family.

Roberta Phillips Goldin

May 2, 2016

Dear Sharon and family,
I am so sorry about Burt. What a loss for you all.
Sharon and I have been friends since our teen years.
RIP Burt. You will surely be missed.

Bob Hurley

May 2, 2016

Dear Sharon and Family,

we've been a fan of Burt's since before 1976. In fact, his pizza was our daughter's first solid food, back in about 1977! If only we could have introduced our grandchildren to his fabulous 'ZA, too. Our whole family is saddened by his loss and we all send tender condolences to Sharon and her kids.
Rest in peace, Burt - you sure have earned it. Semper Fi!

Bob Hurley & Cindie Keene and family

Rhonda and Jeff Branham

May 2, 2016

Sharon and family so sorry for your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you.

May 2, 2016

Our family has wonderful memories of
visiting Burt's Place and
eating his absolutely
perfect pizzas, each an exceptional
masterpiece of fresh flavors that put all other pizzas to shame. He was a
skilled master pizza
creator and a fine host, too!
Barbara + Sherwin
D

Patricia Williams

May 2, 2016

There will never be another Burt, but the memory will live on forever.
Your pizza will never be copied, it was one of a kind and the best there was from first bite to last.

God bless you Burt for everything you did to bring joy to so many people through your wonderful talent as a "Great Pizza Chef"

We enjoyed every bite on everyone we ever ordered

Jim and Pat Williams

Mark Friedman

May 2, 2016

I first met Burt in the early 70s while he was at Pequod's. I was helping Chuck Schaden with his radio show "Those Were The Days", and he arranged to have a listener gathering at Pequod's. Burt proudly showed off his collection of vintage radios and we got a wonderful history lesson. A few years later, I was a fairly regular customer at Pequod's, coming there after playing volleyball. Burt always stopped by my table to say hello, having remembered me from the Chuck Schaden event. One night, he was very excited because of a new addition to his radio collection and took my then-girlfriend and I back to see it. Moving forward a couple of years, he came to a radio station I was working at downtown to be interviewed for a show that we aired. He saw me, and stopped to chat for a bit after the interview. I had hoped to get back to Pequod's again, but wasn't able to. I wanted to get to Burt's Place when he established that, but again wasn't able to, and then I moved out to the west suburbs. I couldn't get back to the area, and when I heard of his illness and the temporary closing, I kept hoping he'd be well enough and would re-open...especially to see if he might remember me. I'm so sorry that it couldn't have been possible, and to his family, I send my most sincere condolences. I will remember Burt, as will so many others, for his friendliness as well as for creating fantastic pizza, which he did with loving care. Thanks for the fantastic eats, Burt. May his memory be for a blessing, and may he rest in peace.

James Witek

May 2, 2016

Morton Grove was lucky to land such a great character as Burt. Whether there were 2 customers or 20 in his place on any given day, he made time to say hi, tell each person a tale or two, and left you wanting to come back to hear more. Even before the name change umpteen years ago, it was never his "restaurant", it was always was his "place", not fancy, just enough personal touches making it looked lived in and a place you could unwind. The community has lost one of its founding stars, but one that provided so many good memories along the way.

Jim Bodkin

May 2, 2016

Burt's passing is a loss to many people. I moved many years ago from Chicago but last October I made it back to Chicago and planned with friends to visit Burt but unfortunately I was too late and missed my chance to visit with him.

To the Katz family - Burt will be missed by more people than you can possibly imagine and for many of us it is not just the best pizza that we will miss but Burty himself.

Terry Strand

May 2, 2016

I was a neighbor, a customer, and a friend of Burt for nearly 40 years. It was an honor for us to know him. His pals at our daily morning Panera coffee group miss him dearly. God bless you, Sharon and Burt. Love, Terry and the AM coffee club.

May 2, 2016

To Sharon and Family,
Condolences to you and you family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Irwin and Beverly Gothelf

Ray Perkins

May 2, 2016

Burt has been serving us the most delicious pizzas since we were in our late teens, back in the '70's at Pequod. Not only was the food enjoyable, but the conversations with him were too. He always had a moment to catch up with us all after the restaurant slowed down a bit. To this day, my friends and I still love to meet at Burt's Place for more of the same good food and conversation. We will all miss him. My condolences go out to Sharon, the family, and friends.

JOEL AND HARRIETT FARBER

May 2, 2016

DEAR SHARON AND FAMILY:

OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO YOU ON THE PASSING OF YOUR DEAR BURT..
JUST 2 WEEKS AGO HARRIETT AND I WOULD SEE YOU BOTH ON THE 3RD FLOOR OF ALDEN ESTATES AS YOU WAITED FOR THE ELEVATOR OR FOR A MOMENT OF MEDITATION ON THE COUCH..
MAY THE MASTER CHEF REST IN PEACE..

Vince Lavieri

May 2, 2016

A Chicago icon. I have enjoyed Burt's delicacies since the days of Gulliver's.
Burt will be missed. Condolences to Sharon and the Katz family.

Brian McMahon

May 2, 2016

My Thoughts and Prayers with your family.

Bill Heinrich

May 2, 2016

Since our first visit July 4th 1972 having the worlds BEST pizza was always like dinner with friends. We will always remember the wonderful iconic man who became a legend. Our sincerest condolences,
Bill and Ilene Heinrich and Family