ARMAND J. CASTELLANI

AMHERST, N.Y. -- Services have been held here for Armand J. Castellani, 84, cofounder and former chairman of Tops Markets, Williamsville, N.Y., according to published reports. Born in Italy, Castellani came to the U.S. with his parents, who settled in Niagara Falls, N.Y., where his father opened a small grocery store. After serving in the Army during World War II, Castellani opened his own grocery store in Niagara Falls. In 1960, he founded Niagara Frontier Services with two partners, and that company created the Tops chain. Castellani was chairman of Niagara when he retired in 1989, and two years later the company was sold to Dutch retailer Ahold. Castellani was also a major patron of the arts.