Services for Retail Exec James Demme Set for Sept. 2

Services for longtime supermarket executive James A. “Jim” Demme, who died suddenly of a heart attack on Aug. 20 at the age of 77, are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, in Sarasota, Fla. 

A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Demme held various executive-level positions at food retailers across the United States, including Penn Traffic Co., Bruno’s Supermarkets, Homeland Supermarkets, Shaw’s, A&P, and Kings Super Markets. He was particularly known for his expertise in turnarounds.

He was also senior advisor at Angelo Gordon, chairman of Kings and, most recently, chairman of the board at Fairway Markets. “Jim was a well-respected and revered professional with a long-standing reputation for brilliant business insights, grace under pressure, and unrelenting focus on customer service,” noted his obituary, published in the Herald-Tribune of Sarasota, where he and his wife, Rae, latterly made their home.

Survivors include his wife, three daughters, seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Demme’s memory may be made to Make a Wish Foundation, Kids In Need Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice.