RICHMOND, Va. — Ted Santarella, a Richmond restaurateur and owner of Tarrant’s Café, Max’s on Broad, and Tarrant’s West has passed away after a battle with cancer.

In a statement of his passing Elizabeth Kincaid, director of operations for the trio of restaurants, broke the news Tuesday night.

“I am writing with deepest regrets to announce the passing of Ted Santarella,” she wrote. “As some of you may know, Ted struggled with cancer and was simply unable to keep up what was an extremely valiant fight against the disease.”

In the letter, Kincaid said Ted’s wife, Frances, will be assuming an active role in the restaurants and “will continue to commit to Ted’s legacy of hospitality.”

There is expected to be no changes in the company’s day-to-day business activities.

“Our managers and ownership remains committed to our staff, our guests, our community and our duty to provide hospitality and good food and plenty of it,” Kincaid wrote.

All three of the Santarella restaurants will be closed this Thursday for Santarella’s memorial service at 4 p.m. at Bliley’s Funeral Home in Richmond.

The memorial will be followed by a celebration of life at Tarrant’s West, located at 11129 Three Chopt Road.

In addition, regards may be sent to Tarrant’s Café, located at 1 W Broad Street.