Charles Genuardi, one of founders of Genuardi’s Supermarket and the patriarch of the regional supermarket chain, died on September 16, 2011, at his home in Lansdale, PA. He had turned 102 on September 9.
Born on September 9, 1909, he was the eldest child of the late Gaspare and Josephine (Scalfani) Genuardi. Charles Genuardi and his siblings worked in the family business, selling produce and later opening a corner grocery store. Genuardi and four of his brothers founded Genuardi’s Supermarkets in 1954. They operated the highly successful supermarket chain until 1990, when they retired and turned over the business to the next generation of Genuardi family members. The business was sold to Safeway, Inc. in 2001.
Well known for his caring kindness towards customers, Charles Genuardi contributed in many ways to community causes. He was a member of the Norristown Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, and L.A.M. Valley Forge Lodge and Serra Club of Norristown. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Norristown for 85 years. In 2001, Genuardi and his wife, Anne (Scirica) Genuardi, established the Charles and Anne S. Genuardi Family Foundation, which strongly supports Catholic education and other humanitarian causes.
Charles Genuardi is survived by his five children: Josephine McCabe (James) of King of Prussia, PA; Antoinette Deever (James) of Lansdale, PA; Rev. Gasper A. Genuardi, Pastor of SS. Cosmas and Damian Church, Conshohocken, PA; Paula Molnar (Thomas) of Cocoa Beach, FL, and Charles A. Genuardi (Patricia) of Berwyn, PA; 15 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.
“There are few people that have been as accomplished as my father in business, his community, his church and his family,” said his son, Charles A. Genuardi, former chief executive of the family-owned retailer.
He is also survived by four brothers Frank, Tom, Jim and Sal, and two sisters Anne Raffeo and Rose Scotti. He is preceded in death by his wife Anne (Scirica), a brother Joe, and a sister Pauline Henion.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Charles and Anne S. Genuardi Family Foundation, c/o Bruce Bickel, Managing Director, PNC Private Foundation Management, PTPP-30-2, Two PNC Plaza, 10th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or to the charity of your choice.