Last updated on November 15th, 2016 at 12:33 pm
Mr. David Isenberg, owner and co-founder of specialty food distributor Chex Finer Foods, Mansfield, Massachusetts, died Nov. 12. He was 73.
In 1965, Mr. Isenberg and his father Jay started Chex Finer Foods out of a small garage in Sharon, Massachusetts. Mr. Isenberg worked in all aspects of the business, serving as president for 25 years. He was pleased to see the family business successfully continue to the third generation of leadership, with his sons Jeremy and Michael at helm.
According to the company, “David will be remembered for the family values and heritage he bestowed onto the business and its employees. David loved Chex and worked tirelessly to deepen relationships with customers, build strong partnerships with vendors and a dedicated extended Chex ‘family’ of team members.”
In 2012, Mr. Isenberg was inducted into The Food Industry Hall of Fame and, in 2015, into the Specialty Food Association Hall of Fame.
Mr. Isenberg was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and was the son of the late Jacob and Dorothy (Sherman) Isenberg. He was a graduate of Hope High School in Providence and Boston University. Mr. Isenberg was a board member of Temple Beth El, Temple Emanu-El, Providence Children’s Museum, Friends of Rochambeau Library, Miriam Hospital Board of Governors, Camp Jori and Providence Rotary. He cared deeply about and generously supported many community organizations and programs, including Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, Jewish Family Service, Temple Beth-El, The Wheeler School, Providence Public Library and Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
Mr. Isenberg is survived by his children Michael Isenberg, Jeremy Isenberg and Rachel Isenberg; former wife Dianne Isenberg; daughters-in-law Karen Isenberg and Amanda Isenberg; grandchildren Sophie, Caleb, Lily and Samantha; and companion Nancy Maloney.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence, with burial in Sons of Israel and David Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Isenberg’s memory may be made to Jewish Family Service, 959 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.
The Chex Finer Foods’ office will be in limited operation from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday so that employees can attend the funeral service. Shiva services will be held at the residence of Amanda and Jeremy Isenberg on Tuesday following burial from 7-9 p.m.; 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; and 2-4 p.m. Friday.
