ELIH to honor Claudio family at 22nd Annual Golf Classic

Eastern Long Island Hospital will be honoring the owners of oldest same family run restaurants in the nation — the Claudio family of Greenport — during the hospital’s 22nd Annual Golf Classic fundraiser on Shelter Island.

Claudio’s Restaurant, Claudio’s Clam Bar and Crabby Jerry’s, owned by the Claudio Five Corp, is marking its 144th year of business this year, according to a release from the hospital. During that entire time it’s been continually owned by a Claudio, and is recognized by the National Restaurant Association as the oldest restaurant in the U.S. to be in continual operation by the same family.

The diverse backgrounds of family members has helped them to effectively run and expand the business, hospital officials said.

“Bill Claudio Jr. is most proud of his years as a jet fighter pilot for the Air Force, but is equally proud of his Columbia business degree,” a hospital release about the Claudio family reads. “Bill’s wife, Janice, previously enjoyed a career in commercial lending and marketing. Jerry Tuthill, with the insights gained as a now retired Suffolk county police officer, has helped the Clam Bar and Crabby Jerry’s grow and prosper; while Beatsy Claudio Tuthill, a well-loved retired teacher from Oysterponds, would probably say managing a classroom of kindergarteners is not much different than running a restaurant floor. Kathy Claudio-Wyse had years in east end real estate and office administration.”

The golf classic will be held at Gardiner’s Bay Country Club, a par 70 private golf course, on Shelter Island.

To sign up for the classic or sponsor the event the hospital website or call (631) 477-5164.