We have sad news:  Lionel Arnal, the former chef/owner of Bon Appetit Café, died on Tuesday, Sept. 30. He was 42.

Arnal passed away yesterday morning after suffering a heart attack. He leaves behind his wife, Barbara, and young daughter, 3-year-old Violette.

Services will be held on Saturday, Oct 4. A fund has been set up to help Barbara with the funeral expense. Contributions can be sent to:

Barbara Arnal
c/o Dean Debiase

Peoples United Bank
3395 Main Street
Stratford, CT 06614

Bon Appetit Café was open in the Stop & Shop Plaza for five years before Arnal and his partner, Dominique Arrighi closed their doors for good on July 18, 2014.

Correction:  The headline and story have been amended to show Arnal’s correct age. He was 42, not 48.