ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Funeral services have been held here for Basilio DiGregorio, founder of California Supermarkets, Gallup, N.M.
rs after coming to the United States from Italy. He chose that name because of his trips to California to buy wine grapes, which he then sold to Italian miners in New Mexico to make their own wine.
He held the title of chairman and continued to visit stores up until the time of his death. California Supermarkets operates four stores: two under that banner in Gallup and two under the Shop-N-Save IGA banner, one in Gallup and one in Window Rock, Ariz.
DiGregorio was one of the founders and a two-term president of the New Mexico Food Dealers Association, and he also co-founded Associated Grocers of New Mexico. He joined Associated Grocers of Arizona in 1958 and served as a director and chairman of the organization.
He is survived by his wife, Oliva; his son, Joe, who is president and chief executive of California Supermarkets; and three daughters, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His grandson Mark DiGregorio is a district manager for Dominick's Supermarkets, Northlake, Ill., a division of Safeway, Pleasanton, Calif.
