Services held for Associated founder Laufer

Services are scheduled Monday for Harry Laufer, the founder and longtime president of New York's Associated Food Holdings, who passed away Sunday.

Laufer founded Associated in 1954 and served as its co-president with Ira Gober for almost 40 years. He retired in 2014 at age 82. The network of independently owned supermarkets services operators in New York and several surrounding states.

"His visionary approach and background in the industry helped Associated Foods become one of the largest retail food markets in the United States," Associated said in a statement. "Harry Laufer was a pillar in the community, both professionally and personally. He will be missed by his family, friends and associates."

Services are scheduled Monday at the Hewlett East Rockaway Jewish Center, East Rockaway, N.Y.