Mourners remember Mr. Beef founder Joe Zucchero, inspiration for ‘The Bear’ — and ‘part of the community’

Christopher Zucchero leads the pallbearers Saturday carrying the casket of his father, Joe ‘Mr. Beef’ Zucchero at the Cooney Funeral Home in Park Ridge. (Kevin Tanaka, Sun-Times Media)

As his health worsened, Joe Zucchero told his family he had one wish for his funeral: “Keep it brief.”

Zucchero, the owner of River North’s Mr. Beef and part of the inspiration for Hulu’s hit show “The Bear,” worked until he was admitted to Rush University Medical Center Feb. 24. He died March 1 at age 69.