AFPD mourns the loss of former
chairman and longtime grocer
Chatham’s Harvey Weisberg dies
at 94
West Bloomfield (July 1, 2016) — When Harvey L.
Weisberg served as the Chairman of the AFD in 1969
he was quoted as saying, “One of the main reasons for tremendous progress
made by the AFD is that the association has been quick to accept the challenge of
change taking place in our respective communities around the nation and in our
industry in particular.”
Harvey Weisberg, former executive at Chatham Super Markets and former board
member of the Associated Food Dealers (AFD), died on June 25. He was 94 years
old.
The Chatham Supermarket chain, now-defunct, was once headquartered in
southeastern Michigan, United States.
Founded by Royal Supermarkets in the mid-1950s, Chatham was often compared
to Kroger in size and selection. Typical of many grocery stores of its time,
Chatham was unable to keep up with big-box grocery competitors, including
Michigan-based Meijer. Kroger subsequently purchased former Chatham
locations after the chain went out of business.
“Harvey was very active in the food distribution industry, being involved in Super
Market Institute and later in the Western Michigan food program, ” said Ed Deeb,
former AFD president now head of the MI Youth Foundation. “The food chain was
founded by Weisberg’s father, Peter, who then turned the managements to his
sons Bernard, Alvin, Harold and son-in-law George Feinberg. Under the direction
of Weisberg and Ed Deeb, the association began attracting local food chains.”
AFPD has a rich and deep 106 year history. “Mr. Weisberg was a big part of our
history for decades and we are saddened by his passing,” said Auday Arabo,
president and CEO. “Chathams was a great independent chain and a number of
people who grew up working for Chathams have played major roles in the grocery
industry in Michigan.”
These people included President of SpartanNash, Mr. Dennis Edison and the
Director of the Food Marketing Program at Western Michigan University, Mr.
Frank Gambino and Mike Moore, the main grocery buyer for D & B Grocers just to
name and few. “Harvey’s legacy in the grocery industry lives on,” said Arabo.
Weisberg was the beloved husband of the late Lucille Weisberg; Cherished father
of Cantor Roger (Audrey) Weisberg, Daniel (David Klingenberger) Weisberg, Barry
(Deena) Weisberg and the late Jeffrey L. Weisberg; Loving Grandfather of Joshua
(Erin) Weisberg, Heather (Todd) Eisner, Jennifer Weisberg and Yoni Weisberg;
Proud great-grandfather of Lucille Rose Weisberg, Eli Isaac Weisberg and Owen
Bradley Eisner; Devoted son of the late Peter and the late Clara Weisberg; Brother
of the late Bernard Weisberg, Helen Weisberg, Alvin and Henrietta Weisberg,
Harold and Marion Weisberg and the late Selma and the late George Feinberg.
Employees of the Chatham Food Centers are hosting a reunion this summer on
August 21 at the Veterans Memorial Park in Warren. To find out more go to
http://www.connellcreationsunlimited.com/Chatham/
About AFPD
AFPD is a 106-year-old trade association with thousands of members in Michigan, Ohio and Illinois. They
represent food and beverage retailers from large grocery stores to convenience and gas stations.
Members include Meijer, Kroger, Heartland Markets, Hollywood among others.
Media Contact: Vanessa Denha Garmo, 248.830.8605 [email protected] or Kris Harris
248.702.8687 [email protected]