Grocer Henry Nemenz dies of sudden illness

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Henry P. Nemenz Sr., president and CEO of H.P. Nemenz Food Stores Inc., died Friday evening in St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Tom Gilmartin, a business partner of 10 years, said Nemenz died after a sudden illness. He was 76.

Nemenz was perhaps best known for his local chain of grocery stores. He owned three IGAs and seven Save A Lot stores in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

His father, Gustav, established the first Nemenz store in 1930 during the Great Depression, according to information provided by his family.

In 1956, he began working in the family business as a meat cutter. In 1976, he opened his first store, Nemenz Valu King in Boardman.

Read more about his life and legacy in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.