Robert Weis, longtime head of supermarket chain, dies at 96

SUNBURY, Pa. (AP) - Supermarket magnate Robert Weis has died in New York City at age 96.

Sunbury, Pennsylvania-based Weis Markets Inc. says he died Monday. It hasn't disclosed the cause of his death.

Weis was the son of the supermarket chain's co-founder. He served as chairman for two decades and grew the business to 163 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and West Virginia with $3 billion in yearly revenue.

When relatives wanted to sell in 2001 he bought out their stock and became the largest shareholder. He remained chairman until April, when his son took over.

As a child, Weis stood on a box to work the cash register at one of his family's stores. After World War II and a stint in the Army Air Corps he oversaw the company's finances, real estate and construction.