Eugene Gross, former co-owner of the Port Richmond Thriftway, passed away on July 10, 2025 at the age of 93. Gross was the son of the late Louis Gross and Bess Eisenberg Gross, beloved husband of the late Lois Gellis Gross, loving father of Andrea Kimelheim (Mark) and Ronna Dewey (Paul), and devoted grandpop of Jordyn Kimelheim (Aya), Ira Kimelheim, Jacob Dewey, Evan Dewey, Parker Dewey, and the late Luke Dewey.
Gene spent his life in the grocery business. He and his brothers began delivering orders to customers who made purchases at their father’s first “milk-and-eggs” market in the Logan section of Philadelphia. When the store relocated to Bethlehem Pike as the Ambler Market, they helped out after school and on weekends.
Gene returned home after serving in the Army during the Korean War, officially joining his brother Albert and his father in the business. In 1960, he became a partner. This was around the time they opened a second store on East Girard Avenue, which became the first Thriftway Supermarket to open in the Delaware Valley. The brothers split their supervision, with one in charge of perishables and the other handling groceries.
The Ambler Market was sold 20 years later, and, in 1987, a fire destroyed the Girard Avenue store. But from disaster, came another opportunity: In October 1988, Gene and Al opened the modern 40,000 square foot Port Richmond Thriftway on Aramingo Avenue. In 1998, they both retired after a 38-year partnership. That store is still independently owned, known today as The Richmond Shops IGA.
Gene was active in many area food organizations and charities, including the Philadelphia Food Trades Organization, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, the Food Marketing Institute, and the Academy of Food Marketing at Saint Joseph’s University. He served on committees of Thriftway Supermarkets and was a trustee of Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association’s FoodPAC, helping formulate legislation for scanning laws in Philadelphia supermarkets. In 1996, he and his brother were selected by Golden Slipper Camp to receive an exceptional honor as the Angels of the Year.
Although he retired some time ago, his family informed us that Gene always lit up when receiving the latest monthly copy of the Food Trade News. He absolutely loved his colleagues in the business, his employees, and his customers.
The family asks that if you wish to make a donation in Gene’s name, please consider a contribution to the Next Step Programs, tnsprograms.org, 204 N.West St., Ste. 102, Doylestown, PA 18901, or to Trans Lifeline, translifeline.org, 548 Market St., PMB 15337, San Francisco, CA 94104 would be appreciated.
