Longtime sommelier Jerome “Jerry” Metallo of Aspinwall is pouring all of his efforts into the fight of his life.
Metallo, 54, was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer this summer.
The unexpected news sent shock waves through his mind, body and life that he shares with Cara, his wife of 19 years, and their two teenage children, Gianna and Luca.
“The whole neighborhood knows about it. What a great neighborhood this is because they’ve been so supportive of me,” Metallo said. “It gives you a good feeling and more incentive to get better, and that’s what I’m focused on.”
The initial news left Metallo discouraged.
The cancer was discovered after Metallo experienced a blood clot in his calf that led to further tests. After experiencing sharp pains in his side, a scan revealed the cancerous tumor.
Typically, pancreatic cancer has no prior symptoms until it metastasizes.
The cancer spread to Metallo’s liver.
Traveling for chemotherapy treatments at nearby UPMC St. Margaret is now his weekly routine.
“I’m the worst stage to be, but the good news is I have this genetic marker that allows for a tailored chemo medicine to the tumor. They totally switched my whole program around, and it’s laser- focused.”
Since then, Metallo’s tumor markers are coming down, and his last scan showed significant shrinkage in the tumor and spots on his liver are almost all gone.
“It’s been stressful, but I’m laser- focused on beating this,” Metallo said. “In the beginning, I wasn’t so positive. What really switched me around from being resigned to this to saying, ‘Alright, I’m gonna beat this,’ is when we had to tell my kids, and my two really healthy parents (in their 80s). I just have too much to live for.”
Added his wife: “His mindset and energy has been nothing but positive, and it’s paying off. He’s so very loved, and all of Fox Chapel area has truly gathered together to support him.”
Originally from Bloomfield, Metallo’s Italian heritage naturally lent itself to authentic food and wines shared with his family as he later grew up in Shaler.
He graduated from Shaler Area High School in 1988 and moved to New York City for seven years, where he pursued an acting career.
While living in Queens with Cara, his girlfriend at the time, the couple worked in Manhattan in the food industry.
“We were actors. We met in a play in the South Side, and I asked her to go with me and she said yes. Just packed up the car. It was fun, and we didn’t know anyone in NYC,” Metallo said.
Metallo began studying wine in the Big Apple to further his knowledge while working at Astor Wines & Spirits in Manhattan.
He completed a 12-week course in wine at the American Sommelier Association, earning a sommelier (translated in French to wine waiter) certification.
Metallo landed extra roles and one speaking role on several episodes of “All My Children.”
“I had five lines, which was a big deal,” he said. “That was fun, and I got to talk with Susan Lucci.”
His film credits include roles in two independent films, “The Dying Light” in 2006 and “Famous” in 2008.
“I left the acting thing behind. And it was highly competitive and cutthroat in New York, and it just wasn’t fun anymore,” Metallo said of his decision to hang up his Screen Actors Guild card.
The couple moved back to Pittsburgh in 2008, settling in Aspinwall.
His sommelier jobs included the former D’Vine Wine Bar and Lounge and Narcissi Winery.
Seeking more career stability, Metallo took a job with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board at Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores.
“I like the retail, and I was still around wine and customers,” said Metallo, who worked for 15 years at several locations, including Oakmont, Cranberry and most recently the premium wine store in The Waterworks.
There, he helped customers with recommendations on wine and food pairings.
He has since taken a disability retirement from the PLCB.
People still call, text and ask Metallo for wine advice.
And he’s happy to talk wine any time.
“There’s different levels of knowledge on wine, but they want recommendations. I always tell people that there is a great wine in every budget,” Metallo said. “I’ll find you the best $10 bottle of wine out there.”
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For everyday great-value wines to accompany meals, Metallo recommends South American and European wines.
“They drink wine every day there. It’s a part of the lifestyle,” Metallo said.
It’s more challenging with domestic wines from California.
“It’s harder. There’s good California wines, but you have to pay out the nose,” he said.
“I’m an Old World wine drinker myself so Italian wine I tend to gravitate to,” he said.
Family friend Tiffany Booth created a GoFundMe account to help Metallo with treatment and daily living expenses since he is unable to work during his chemotherapy treatment.
“He loves his family and friends and his community, and they love him right back,” she said. “I wanted to support him and his family during this difficult time during his recovery from cancer.”
Booth described Metallo’s “wine groupies” as folks who always go to him for opinions on which special occasion wine or casual sipping wine to choose.
“Jerry is not pretentious in his wine knowledge,” Booth said. “He makes wine accessible for everyone to enjoy it. He savors good food and wine, of course, but he also savors a good conversation with anyone.”
To date, the account has raised more than $39,000 of its $45,000 goal, with more than 280 donations.
As he navigates his fight against cancer, Metallo expressed gratitude to his Aspinwall neighbors and the surrounding Fox Chapel community.
“It was overwhelming. One lady brought me fresh eggs, chicken. Another neighbor sends me a note every month. I am really humbled by it, and I can’t thank them enough for the love and support. It’s really touching.”