'Corktown has lost its heart': Greg Mudge, owner of Mudgie's Deli, dies at age 46

Founder and owner of Mudgie's Deli and Wine Shop Greg Mudge unexpectedly died at the age of 46 Sunday morning, family has announced on social media and a staff member has confirmed.

Mudge founded the deli that would go on to become Corktown's cornerstone in 2008 after the previous delicatessen in that location — Eph McNally, where Mudge was an employee — closed at that spot. And thus Mudgie's was born.

"He had such a light about him," said Melissa McNabb, of Madison Heights, a longtime close friend of Mudge's who has worked alongside him for seven years and now serves as Mudgie's manager. "He was just so inviting and warm and engaging, and always had something kind of funny or witty or maybe a little sarcastic to say."

It was not uncommon for Mudge to sit at a table with customers, excitedly opening a bottle of wine for them to try, or to jump behind the counter to work the line when the deli was short-staffed. And if something piqued Mudge's interest — even slightly — he'd pick it up with a fervor, whether it be photography or DJ-ing.

Mudge's mother, Sandy Pressley, who announced Mudge's passing on Facebook, recalled his big heart in the post. His cause of death was not immediately clear and she could not be reached for comment.

"This morning heaven gained a special angel. My son who had the biggest heart and would do anything for anyone has passed away," Pressley wrote in the Facebook post. "I am beyond numb. To know him was to love him and so so many did. He has left a hole in my heart that will never be replaced."

McNabb expanded further on that idea — "to know him was to love him."

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"He had this way of making you instantly feel familiar, like you had known him forever upon first meeting," McNabb said. "Not a lot of people have that, there was not that awkwardness of first meeting someone. He had this just ease about him and when you would meet him, it's like you already knew him."

Mudgie's became a nationally renowned deli, earning a litany of awards and accolades, for its house-smoked meats and sauces. Each sandwich was made with a level of dedication and precision that earned Mudgie's reputation as a mainstay of Corktown.

For years, Mudge flew in fresh Maine lobster daily for the annual promotion of his shop's popular lobster roll week. In 2020, he expanded lobster week into lobster month. That tradition continued this year.

Similar to the rest of the service industry, Mudgie's struggled through the pandemic even with the addition of a carry-out window. However, Mudge was determined to keep his staff safe, despite the financial consequences.

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"He was just one of the most generous people I've ever known," said Judy Diebolt, a longtime customer, friend of Mudge and a former Free Press staffer. "He was a very fine man. I watched him go from being a kid who worked at a deli to the owner of Mudgie's. He just got kinder and better over time."

"I have lost a good pal and Corktown has lost its heart," Diebolt wrote in a comment on Pressley's post.

Matthew Buskard, owner of five area Bobcat Bonnie's restaurants, including one in Corktown, called Mudge's death a "massive loss" to the Corktown community saying he was "literally one the best," Buskard wrote in a post on Facebook.

"Greg was always one of the best, most helpful, and just good people I've ever known. I still just cannot believe this is actually true" Buskard wrote.

While the deli was scheduled to be closed through Wednesday to give staff a long break for the holiday weekend, McNabb said she's unsure whether they will open Thursday. The idea of opening without Mudge is overwhelming, she said.

"The thought of being in that space without him is unreal," she said.

But his founding values will remain the core of Mudgie's, she said, such as delivering a quality product — read: his beloved mouthwatering sandwiches — and his generosity toward the community.

mmarini@gannett.com

Staff reporter Sue Selasky contributed to this report.

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