Obituary of Lewis Golub

LEWIS GOLUB 1931-2009 NISKAYUNA, NEW YORK Lewis Golub, 78, Chairman of the Board for Golub Corporation/Price Chopper Supermarkets, and a renowned philanthropist and food industry visionary, died peacefully on Sunday, October 18, 2009 in the presence of beloved family members in Vero Beach, Fla. Born August 25, 1931 in Schenectady, Lewis' diligent work ethic took shape as a young man when he began helping his father Bernard "Ben" Golub in their Central Market store in Schenectady. The experience provided the footing for Lewis to later help lead the Golub Corporation, as its chairman and CEO, to become one of the most successful supermarket chains in the nation. Lewis was educated at Siena College and Michigan State University. He paused his business career in December 1953 to serve two years with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He soon became a student of aviation, able to competently occupy right seat to a pilot. Lewis was a past commander of the Mohawk-Hudson Sail & Power Squadron, where he taught navigation. In that regard he was an experienced yachtsman and captain with a keen knowledge of the seafaring life that was so dear to his heart. His love of cards was especially evident in his abilities as an accomplished Life Master Duplicate Bridge player. Lewis embraced humor in his life and his repertoire of jokes ran deep. He often wove his remarkable wit into the many speeches he was called on to deliver. Notably, throughout his life Lewis selflessly donated his time and resources to improve education, help those in need, and to foster a broad spectrum of business efforts. His iconic legacy resonates especially in the Capital Region, where Lewis raised his loving family and donated his expertise to an array of important causes. His love of antique cars, especially his favorite 1937 Packard Convertible, sparked Lewis to help establish and serve as chairman for the Saratoga Automobile Museum at Saratoga Spa State Park. He was a strong proponent of education, the arts and health services, and served on various boards, including: Union Graduate College (founding board member); Siena College; Empire State College; Wildwood School; Hospice at St. Clare's Hospital; College of St. Rose; Marywood College; The Business Council of New York State (chairman); Schenectady County Community College; Schenectady Chamber of Commerce; Regents Select Commission on Disability; WMHT; Food Marketing Institute; Saratoga Performing Arts Center; Proctor's Theatre, and the Center for Economic Growth. Lewis also was a member of the Northeast Regional Advisory Board for JP Morgan Chase Bank, and a member of the boards of directors for Taylor Made Group; Racemark International; Dot Foods and Paradigm Securities. Lewis was especially devoted to the United Way's corporate fundraising efforts, and the United Jewish Federation. Lewis officially began his career for the Golub Corporation in 1947 and he learned the company from the inside by taking various jobs as an electrician, tractor-trailer driver, forklift operator and store clerk. He went on to become a produce manager, assistant store manager and then was promoted to store manager in 1952. Upon his return from military service Lewis was promoted to Director of Research and Development. His continued promotions within Golub Corporation included Director of Maintenance and Store Engineering, Vice President and General Manager of General Merchandise, and Vice President of Sales and Merchandising. In 1974 Lewis became president of Golub Corporation and Price Chopper Supermarkets, later introducing the company's groundbreaking Profit Sharing Stock Plan for associates in 1978. The corporation's Board of Directors named Lewis as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1982, and with the help of his leadership the corporation flourished and made numerous strategic acquisitions as its sales grew to more than $2 billion. Over the years Lewis garnered many awards and accolades for his business acumen and public work. There are too many to list them all, but they include in 2001 the American Marketing Association's Marketer of the Year Award and the United Way's CEO of the Year Award; in 1999 he received the Center for the Disabled Humanitarian of the Year Award; the 1995 Distinguished Citizen Award from NYS Chiefs of Police; and a Doctor of Humane Letters Degree in 1998 from the University At Albany. Survivors, in addition to his wife, Colleen, include three sons, Jerel "Jerry" (Geraldine) Golub, David (Andrea) Golub, Christopher Golub; two daughters, Shari (Lawrence) Schillinger, Jennifer (Joseph) Berman; eight grandchildren, Benjamin, Dana, Shayna, Hailey, Michela, Emma, Max and Jasper; two sisters, June (Golub) Schechter and Elise (Stephen) Rosenfeld; and a cousin, Neil (Jane) Golub, who was his devoted friend and lifelong business partner. Calling hours will take place at Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Avenue, Niskayuna, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, October 21. The calling hours will be followed at 11 a.m. by a memorial service at Congregation Gates of Heaven. Interment will be private for family. Shiva services will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Congregation Gates of Heaven. In lieu of flowers Lewis requested that donations be sent to: St. Peter's Lewis Golub MDA/ALS Clinic, 19 Warehouse Row, Albany, New York 12205.