Sal Picinich of ‘Cake Boss’ dies of cancer

Sal Picinich, a baker who became somewhat famous at the end of his career on the TLC baking reality show Cake Boss, has died after a long battle with cancer.

63-year-old Picinich worked at Carlo’s Bake Shop in Hoboken from 1964 until the illness caused him too much pain to continue in the position, in 2009. He returned to the bakery briefly to accept an “Employee of the Century” award during the summer last year for the company’s 100th birthday.

TLC released a statement about Picinich’s death, reading in part:

“TLC was saddened to learn of the passing of Sal Picinich, a beloved Carlo’s Bakery employee featured on ‘Cake Boss. We join Buddy Valastro and the entire Carlo’s crew in sending Sal’s family our sincerest condolences.”

His wife Lucille said that her husband was a “workaholic,” and that she knew the illness was serious when he stopped going to work:

“The minute he didn’t go down to Carlo’s Bakery was the minute I knew Sal was starting to feel pain.”

In addition to his wife, Picinich is survived by two children. His funeral is scheduled for Friday in East Rutherford.