Community responds after supermarket founder Stew Leonard Sr. dies

More than 4,645 people in the community — from former employees, longtime shoppers, family, colleagues and friends — posted condolences and tributes within two days after the death of Stew Leonard Sr., founder of Norwalk, Conn.-based Stew Leonard’s supermarkets in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.

Leonard, 93, of Westport, Conn., died April 26 at a New York hospital after a brief illness, according to the family company’s obituary.

"One of Stew's favorite things to do throughout his life was to stand at the front door of Stew's greeting you, the customers. Thank you for your support. — Marianne, Stew Jr., Tom, Beth, Jill and family," the company website says in an announcement.

Born in Norwalk in 1929, Leonard is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marianne Guthman Leonard, and their four children Stew Jr., Tom, Beth and Jill. He had 14 grandchildren, including Stewart Leonard III, who died in an accidental drowning, and 11 great-grandchildren.

A graduate of University of Connecticut’s School of Agriculture, Leonard first worked for his family’s dairy business at Clover Farms Dairy in Norwalk. It was a state-of-the-art dairy by the standards of the time with a pasteurizing and bottling plant, and fresh milk delivered daily by trucks that had plastic cows on the front that “mooed” for the neighborhood children.

In the late 1960s, Leonard realized the milk delivery business was “going the way of the iceman,” according to the company. His belief that it was time to start something new was driven home when the state informed him that Clover Farms Dairy was in the path of a new highway.

“His dream was to build a retail dairy store where children could watch milk being bottled, while parents did their shopping in a farmer’s market atmosphere,” the statement said.

In December 1969, Stew Leonard’s opened its doors — a 17,000-square-foot store carrying just eight items. 

The dairy store Leonard founded in Norwalk not only became the “World’s Largest Dairy Store,” according to Ripley’s Believe It or Not, but also earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the highest dollar sales per square foot of selling space. The company has also received worldwide acclaim for excellence in customer service and quality and is featured in two of management expert Tom Peter’s books: “A Passion for Excellence” and “Thriving on Chaos.” 

Leonard was presented with Presidential Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence in 1986 by former President Ronald Reagan and gave the keynote address to the National Speakers Association.

Throughout the course of his life, Leonard was consistently recognized by his peers and the media for excellence in retailing and entrepreneurship. He received an Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Ernst & Young and Inc. Magazine, the International Friendship Award from Dale Carnegie, and several others.

Leonard was a prolific writer throughout his life and published a memoir, “Stew Leonard: My Story,” in 2009.  He was a record-setting water-skier, invented a water-ski training device and taught others to water-ski.

But one of Leonard’s favorite things to do — for decades — was to greet customers at the front door of his stores, oftentimes by name. He loved giving back to the community, the company said. He was a member of the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, among other local groups. 

Today, Stew Leonard’s has grown to become a $600 million, family-owned and -operated business with seven farm-fresh food store locations and more than 2,500 employees.

The retailer was also named as one of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” 10 years in a row. Today, the company is run by his son, Stew Leonard Jr., with help from his siblings, Tom Leonard, Beth Leonard Hollis and Jill Leonard Tavello. Five of his grandchildren have also joined the business.

A celebration of life for Leonard was held May 1 at St. Matthew’s Church in Norwalk, Conn.

Donations in Stew’s memory may be made to the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation, a 501(c)3 charity that helps raise funds for swimming lessons for children in need, in honor of Leonard III, who drowned in 1989. Cards to the family can be sent to 100 Westport Ave., Norwalk, CT 06851.

Remembering Stew Leonard Sr.

Condolences and tributes included many personal memories of Leonard Sr., plus people who enjoy his stores with a great sense of community. Comments, some lightly edited for grammar, included:

• “My heart is breaking for your loss but what a legacy! Your father, Stew Leonard came into our family in the 1960s. Mom would drop us kids off at the Roton Point Club, Rowayton, for swim practice and go to Stew Leonard’s for milk and whatever else you sold then (we lived in Stamford). Now I happily live within walking distance of your Danbury store and my sister lives in Richmond near Tom's store. Your family has been an important part of our family for 60-plus years!! Your dDad has made a difference and left a wonderful legacy. Deepest condolences.”
• “My family literally grew up with your dad! My grandmother and uncle lived in Norwalk and later on your dad was my grandmother’s milk man! He would deliver milk, and if she was hanging clothes outside, he would step in and stir the sauce she had on the stove! … One year my husband and I took our two boys to the Danbury store on a very, very cold Sunday. We got a flat tire on our truck and Tommy had his team get it replaced while we sipped hot chocolate, Years later, I went to work for a British celebrity and Tommy had his team deliver a huge assortment of top-notch groceries for an event we were having for some ambassador’s children. Thank you for always being the most honorable family.”
• "Stew Sr. was one of a kind. When I first started in Norwalk, he was such a mentor to me. His eye for details was second to none. Working the Leonard’s for 44 years, I felt that I was part of the family and I will miss him. My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you especially, Mrs. Leonard."
• “Rest in peace Mr. Leonard. Thank you for your vision and providing, not only quality products and service, but for creating an atmosphere that makes for a memorable experience and for memory making experiences that have passed on through generations. You will be missed by many and thought of often. Your family generously will continue to carry on the tradition in the values that have been shown and laid out beforehand.”
• “My heartfelt condolences. We take for granted names and brands … behind them are real people. Thank you for sharing insight on his life. What a beautiful tribute. Your establishment is not only his legacy but a staple in our household. Prayers for strength and peace for the family through this difficult time of loss.”
• “Stew is the reason my 1-year-old son loves his cows and bananas. Thank you so much. We are so glad his legacy will continue in our neighborhood.”
• “Been going to Stew Leonard’s since 1973. I feel like I grew up with Stew Leonard’s, and I can honestly say I’ve never met a team member that was anything less than ‘just what I needed.’ Still batting 100% after all these years. God bless the family and the teams in all the stores. This life should, and will always be, celebrated.”