IGA Chairman Emeritus Dr. Thomas S. Haggai died March 26, 2020, from natural causes after a short decline. Dr. Haggai, who first became involved with IGA as a board member in 1972, spent more than 40 years in service to IGA in a variety of roles, including non-executive chairman and later chairman and CEO.
He stepped down from his daily duties at IGA and was named chairman emeritus in 2016, but kept up to date about IGA’s progress and his beloved IGA retailers until his death.
“As the IGA family and the rest of the industry mourn Tom’s passing, we ask that you remember his wife Buren, their four children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many close friends in your prayers and thoughts,” said Mark Batenic, chairman of IGA Inc.
More information, including arrangements, will be forthcoming. A special edition of The IGA Minute next week will honor Dr. Haggai’s legacy.
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) was founded in 1926 to bring family owned, local grocery stores together under the IGA brand. Nearly a century later, the support of a nationally known brand is still giving IGA grocers the ability to better compete, while at the same time, allowing them to stay true to who they are—hometown store owners in a position to meet the needs of their unique communities.
