Steve Zengel, Founder of Los Caidos, Passes Away

Steve Zengel, the founder of Los Caidos Cigars, passed away at the age of 52.

Before launching Los Caidos, Zengel worked a wide range of jobs from a financial advisor to an assistant principal, coaching college basketball and working part-time at Emerson’s, a chain of cigar stores in Virginia. In 2012, he opened Beach House Cigars in Seaside Heights, N.J. Less than a year after it opened, the store was damaged by Hurricane Sandy and relocated to Wall, N.J.

Inspired by one of his former students who owned Jersey Mike’s franchises—and the company’s corporate ethos of giving back—he created two cigar lines in 2016—Perfection and Los Caidos—with the aim of using the cigars as a way to give back. Proceeds from the sale of Los Caidos cigars were donated to the families of fallen police officers, later expanded to include the family of fallen firefighters. For the first few years, Los Caidos was only sold through JR Cigar, but in 2019, the brand was offered via national distribution.

He also launched Life of a Ridetime, a charity that hosted motorcycle rides to raise money for the families of fallen police officers and firefighters.

Zengel is survived by his wife and two sons.

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