Chad Gardner, popular restaurant owner and team coach, dies at 48

Chad Gardner, owner of the popular Chad's Deli and Bakery in Tavernier, died Thursday, relatives report.

Gardner, 48, ran his restaurant at mile marker 92.3 for nearly 20 years.

He was working in the restaurant office Monday night when he was stricken with a massive heart attack and collapsed.

Gardner was transferred to a south Miami-Dade hospital and placed on life support while extensive efforts to limit damage were made.

On Thursday afternoon, relatives sent a Facebook post advising, "Multiple tests have proven that he is no longer with us. Chad is an organ donor and his organs will be used to help other people...He's riding off into the sunset."

Part of a longtime Upper Keys family, Chad Gardner graduated from Coral Shores High School and remained a steadfast supporter of the school.

"This is a great loss to the community, our school and to everyone who knew him personally," Coral Shores Athletic Director Rich Russell said. "He was the lifeblood of our volleyball program, into a second decade."

Gardner served as the Coral Shores High head volleyball coach this winter after many years volunteering as assistant coach and head junior-varsity coach.

Chad's Deli attracted a large and loyal local following by offering good food and lots of it. Giant sandwiches and nightly specials are its trademark.

"Here you get what you pay for," Gardner told the Upper Keys Reporter at the eatery's 10th anniversary.

"I am not a chef. I just make the food the way I think it tastes good," he said.

Nearly 700 customer reviews on the Yelp website give his namesake business a glowing 4.5-star rating.

Arrangements are being planned. A date and location for a community celebration of life will be announced.

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 5:53 PM with the headline "Chad Gardner, popular restaurant owner and team coach, dies at 48."