The restaurant remains closed during her recovery time, but in the Larson’s time of need, community members are stepping up and organizing a benefit for them that is set for the end of October.

The fight began for Patti and Chris Larson in July when a large mass — the size of a cellphone, 15 centimeters long by nine centimeters, or almost six inches by four inches — was found in Patti’s chest. Chris Larson said they had to go to Roswell for treatment, but that it could not be removed until September 3.

“She had to have surgery similar to open heart surgery to remove it,” he said. “Four hour operation and it went well but she was told not to do anything for at least three months, and that’s minimum.”

Larson added that Patti is recovering well, but it just takes a very long time, adding that full recovery will probably take six months to a year. This has put a stop to everything at the restaurant for them for the time being, he added.

Lisciandro’s restaurant on Main Street, currently closed as Patti Larson recovers from her battle with cancer. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

During this time a benefit has been scheduled for them by Rand Machine. The benefit is set for October 20 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Landmark Restaurant, 516 W. Fourth St. The benefit will include a buffet dinner, cash bar, basket raffles, 50/50 drawings, and a barrel of booze. Tickets are available now to be purchased in advance by emailing randepc@randmachine.com, or in person at Rand Machine, 2072 Allen Street Exit, The Pub, 209 North Main Street, or the Landmark, 516 West Fourth Street. Monetary donations are also being accepted by cash, check or Venmo @RandEPC.

The Larsons said that Kurt Grimm, chairman and owner of Rand Machine, currently lives in New Jersey but when he was in the area would come into the restaurant all the time.

“When he was here he would come into the restaurant regularly and order hundreds of sandwiches for all of his employees,” Patti Larson said.

Rand Machine also does an annual golf tournament, the PO-FI-VE Golf Tournament, where they raise funds for local law enforcement, fire departments and veterans, and Larson said last year Lisciandro’s sponsored two holes for that tournament and served food.

“We’re very grateful for even the thought of doing the fundraiser for us,” Larson said. “It’s nice to know we have friends and customers out there that care.”

He added that most of their customers are their friends as well.

Having this benefit organized for them means “a lot” Larson continued, saying that it will get them through the next five or six months of not having the restaurant open but still having bills to pay, even with insurance. Both he and Patti expressed their appreciation to have people in the community that care about them and are willing to organize something like this.

“We didn’t expect to have anything at all,” Patti Larson said. “We weren’t planning on anything, so when they asked us — well they didn’t really ask us, he said ‘we’re going to do it’. So it means everything to us. We never expected it.”

Larson added to that saying it was flattering and that he would not expect even 50 people to come, but he knew it would be a lot more. He expressed their appreciation for the support of their customers and local community. The pair also expressed their appreciation of Roswell Park and everyone who sent wishes, flowers, food, and came to visit. Specifically, Larson thanked Heather Pantojas for getting them into Dr Hennon at Roswell, and his staff.

“We’re very thankful for their support, before, now and after,” Larson said. “We just love feeding people. Our customers are also our friends.”