Report: Former Pathmark CEO dies at 85

NEW YORK — Leonard Lieberman, former chairman and CEO of Supermarkets General, which owns Pathmark, died at his home in Hoboken, N.J., on Jan. 2, according to an obituary on NJ.com. He was 85.



According to the obituary, his wife, Arlene, said the cause of death was heart failure.



In 1963, he left the practice of law to become VP and general counsel of Supermarkets General, which was part of the ShopRite cooperative chain. The company opened and acquired additional locations and, in 1967, it left the ShopRite chain under the ownership of Supermarkets General and named its stores Pathmark. Lieberman became president of Supermarkets General in the early 1980s and assumed the role of chairman and CEO in 1983.



After leaving Supermarkets General, Lieberman became a well-known advocate for cities, particularly Newark, and a civic leader. He was also a generous donor to arts and educational organizations.



He is survived by his wife, Arlene, of 27 years and three daughters from a previous marriage, Betsy Lieberman and husband Richard Groomer; Nancy Lieberman and daughter Isabel Lieberman Hale; and Anne Lieberman and sons Ethan and Jonah Lieberman Flint. He also leaves two step children, Elyse Layton and husband Tom Lee, and Mitchell Layton and wife Michelle and daughters Erin and Kelly Layton