Gone Too Soon

Malibu mourns the unexpected tragic loss of Andrea Bullo, a long-time restaurateur and co-owner of Moonshadows and his 13-year-old son Marco.

✎ written by Barbara Burke

Their smiles always lit up the room and they both viewed the world with a contagious optimism, Franco Simplicio, partner and friend of Andrea Bullo, recalled about Andrea, 60, and his 13-year-old son, Marco, who were killed in a fiery collision in Woodland Hills on November 1.

The Bullos were driving in a vintage Mustang on West Mulholland Drive in Woodland Hills when they were rear-ended by a speeding Toyota Camry driven by a suspected drunk driver, Kevin Gonzalez, 21, who faces two charges of murder, with bail set at $4 million. The Mustang was engulfed in fire and, although firefighters responded very quickly, both of the Bullos were pronounced dead at the scene. Gonzalez was able to escape and sustained only minor injuries. He was filmed doing a sobriety test on the scene.

The elder Bullo, a Venice, Italy native, purchased Moonshadows with a group of friends of Italian descent, including his partner Franco Simplicio in 2001. The venue combines typical Venetian cuisine with American fare. Moonshadows rapidly became a hotspot for Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, and many other celebrities. The restaurant has received awards including the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence, the Michelin Award, the Best of City Search, and the venue is on Yelp’s list of 100 places to dine.

“Andrea and I were partners for more than 20 years, and we were friends for more than thirty years,” Simplicio told Malibu Magazine. “We were very close, almost like brothers, and 3 to 4 times a week, I would go by Moonshadows to talk with him. Andrea always had a smile and an ‘everything’s going to be okay kind of energy.”

More than a thousand people attended the memorial mass for the Bullos at St.

Mel’s Catholic Church in Woodland Hills on November 19, Simplicio noted, adding, “Andrea touched the lives of each and everyone who attended in some way. All losses are horrible, but some people like Andrea were one-of-a-kind. He will be very missed.”

Simplicio recalled how vivacious Marco was, saying, “He was at my wedding when he was very young and he stole the show - he was a showman and was so energetic and he was a very talented dancer.”

Marco, Simplicio noted, “had a special spirit that was so captivating that you wanted to spend time with him and talk to him. He had such a bright future, but, unfortunately, it was not to be.”

Memorial service attendees entered the church tearfully. When they sang Amazing Grace, one could feel the balm that only a communal gathering can bestow on mourners.

Andrea was married to Ira Soebroto, Marco’s mother, who bravely eulogized her husband and son at the funeral, as did a host of Marco’s friends, who at tender ages, like everyone, are trying to process the magnitude of the losses.

A myriad of social media postings echoed Simplicio’s comments that Marco and Andrea were very special and their spirits infused others with joy and they will be sorely missed.

“This is a tragic, tragic moment with news (of the Bullos’ deaths) that will ripple across the oceans from Moonshadows and touch the hearts of thousands around the world. In honor of Andrea & Marco, the Bullo family is welcoming messages of condolence on the Moonshadows Facebook page. www.facebook.com/moonshadowsmalibu.

“Moonshadows has been my favorite place since I was a student at UCLA in the 1970s,” Barbara Bruderlin, CEO of the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce said. “I was amazed by the venue, as though my life had finally come to fruition because it existed and I found it. Thirty years later, I visited Moonshadows with my fiance, eager to show him the most romantic spot in the world. It was then that I first met Andrea, this larger-than-life figure who greeted us. There was a new, personal touch and elegance that Andrea brought to Moonshadows, with his warm, gracious style. Andrea made every visit memorable, always acquiescing to personal wishes, and ready to share in customers’ joy. Over the years, Andrea and his partner Franco have brought the essence of Malibu to the locals and people from all over the world - that indescribable Malibu “je ne sais quoi” that you just have to “get.”

Bruderlin added, “I am personally heartbroken at the loss of Andrea and his beautiful son, Marco. From the bottom of my heart, I send my deepest condolences on behalf of the Board of Directors and all members of the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce.”

Oreste Di Gregorio, a longtime friend and colleague of Andrea, summed up the sentiments of many, saying “Andrea was always a special person to me and all others,” He said. “He made you feel confident in any situation. He was a perfect friend.”

Doug Stewart and Marianne Riggins, Malibu’s two newly elected city council members, have great aspirations for the City, aspirations tempered by the City’s mission statement’s strong focus on protecting Malibu’s unique land and marine environment and preserving its unaltered natural resources and rural characteristics.

Both incoming council persons have long, strong ties to Malibu. Stewart has lived in Malibu for 23 years. He began his career as a banker and later served as Chief Operating Officer of Colorgraphics, then the West Coast’s largest commercial printing business. He and his wife, Sharon have one son, Doug (“Chip”).

Riggins is a Malibu native. She and her

MARIANNE RIGGINS & DOUG STEWART