ShopRite's Larry Inserra Dies
MAHWAH, N.J. -- Larry R. Inserra, owner and chairman of ShopRite co-op member Inserra Supermarket Corp. here, died Saturday at the age of 76, according to published reports.
Inserra, who lived in Upper Saddle River, N.J., started out as a butcher at one of his family's stores, in Ramsey, N.J. After he assumed sole control of the company in the late 1970s, it acquired 18 more stores, according to his son, Larry Inserra Jr., who now runs the company. Inserra currently owns and operates 22 ShopRite supermarkets in Bergen, Passaic, and Hudson counties and Rockland County, N.Y.
Inserra was known for treating employees like his own relatives and taking a personal interest in workers' lives, noted the younger Inserra. In fact, his son; two daughters, Laura Dupont and Marie Larsen; and wife, Theresa, worked with him in the company, making the business a real family affair. Inserra paid daily visits to his stores to interact with associates, even after he developed multiple sclerosis 20 years ago.
Additionally, Inserra was a philanthropist in his community, contributing to local organizations and donating handicapped-accessible vans to others living with MS.
As well as his son, daughters, and wife, Inserra is survived by 11 grandchildren.
Inserra, who lived in Upper Saddle River, N.J., started out as a butcher at one of his family's stores, in Ramsey, N.J. After he assumed sole control of the company in the late 1970s, it acquired 18 more stores, according to his son, Larry Inserra Jr., who now runs the company. Inserra currently owns and operates 22 ShopRite supermarkets in Bergen, Passaic, and Hudson counties and Rockland County, N.Y.
Inserra was known for treating employees like his own relatives and taking a personal interest in workers' lives, noted the younger Inserra. In fact, his son; two daughters, Laura Dupont and Marie Larsen; and wife, Theresa, worked with him in the company, making the business a real family affair. Inserra paid daily visits to his stores to interact with associates, even after he developed multiple sclerosis 20 years ago.
Additionally, Inserra was a philanthropist in his community, contributing to local organizations and donating handicapped-accessible vans to others living with MS.
As well as his son, daughters, and wife, Inserra is survived by 11 grandchildren.