Those who knew Victor Laruccia describe him as larger than life. “Everything was big about him,” said his stepdaughter Jennifer Davies. “He had a big heart, he was generous with his time and his thoughts, he had big hugs — everyone knows the big Victor bear hug — he had a big laugh, a big smile, and most of all, he had a big brain.”

The 80-year-old San Diego resident died on March 17 after losing his battle with stage 4 stomach cancer. Friends and family agree his legacy will live on through the San Diego Italian Film Festival, which he founded nearly 17 years ago.