Stew Leonard Sr., Founder Of Grocery Chain, Dead at 93

The founder of the Connecticut based Stew Leonard’s grocery chain died Wednesday. Stew Leonard, Sr was 93 years old. He passed away yesterday at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City after a brief illness, according to a statement released by the company. Leonard was born in Norwalk, and he worked for his family’s dairy business. He graduated from Norwalk High School and then from UConn’s School of Agriculture. After opening his first store in Norwalk… that carried just 8 items… in 1969, he grew the company into a $600 million businesses with seven locations in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. Stew Leonard Sr. leaves behind his wife of 70 years, four children, and 13 grandchildren.