Food Circus CEO Azzolina Dies at 84

MIDDLETOWN, N.J. — Services are planned here this Friday for Joseph Azzolina Sr., the founder and chief executive officer of Food Circus Supermarkets, a Foodtown operator based here. Azzolina died last week at age 84 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to reports.

Before founding Food Circus, Azzolina had served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and in the Korean War, and later was also very active in politics, serving as both a state representative and senator on and off from 1966 to 2006. He was instrumental and bringing the battleship USS New Jersey to dock in the state, according to reports.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a supermarket industry leader, Joe Azzolina," said Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO, Food Marketing Institute, in a prepared statement. "He was a wonderful family man, a great friend to many, a successful and hardworking businessman, a dedicated statesman and a proud Navy captain."

Azzolina also served on the FMI board of directors for 17 years. He is survived by his wife, Roselyn; six children and three grandchildren.

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