QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop here yesterday said that William J. Grize II, former president and chief executive officer of Stop & Shop and former president and CEO of its parent company, Ahold USA, died Tuesday at age 63. The cause of death was Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a degenerative brain disorder.
Grize, who retired from Ahold in 2005, began his career at Stop & Shop in 1967 as a part-time clerk, and rose through a series of executive posts at the chain. He was named chief operating officer in 1994 and added the title of president in 1996. The following year he was named president and CEO of Stop & Shop. Under his tenure, the chain's sales grew 22%, Stop & Shop said.
In 2000 he was named president and CEO of Ahold USA. He was closely involved with the Food Marketing Institute during his career and in 2005 he received the Sydney R. Rabb Award from the association in appreciation of "his exceptional service to the community, consumers and the industry."
"Bill's passing is a great loss to the Ahold USA Retail family and the supermarket industry. His career spanned nearly four decades and his innovative ideas and strong work ethic made him an inspiration to associates across the company," Stop & Shop said in a statement.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Emelyn, as well as a number of children and grandchildren.
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