Alfred (Fred) John Angeli
IRON RIVER — Alfred (Fred) John Angeli, a third-generation grocer who led Angeli Foods from 1986 until the business was sold in 2022, died on Dec. 8, 2023. He was 73.
Born in Iron River on June 21, 1950, to Libero and Nora Mae (Singler) Angeli, Mr. Angeli attended St. Agnes Elementary School and Iron River High School, graduating in 1968. His start in the grocery business came early. At the age of 10, he was assigned to manage the bottle room in the basement of Angeli’s Iron River grocery store.
Following his graduation from the University of Notre Dame in 1972 with a business degree, Mr. Angeli returned to the Upper Peninsula to work alongside his father, Libero, brother, Sam, uncle, Bay Angeli, and cousin, Rex Angeli. Together they built and operated the Riverside Plaza in Iron River, and Angeli Foods in Menominee and Marinette, Wis. After his father’s death in 1986, he assumed the leadership of the company. Under his watch, the stores were expanded and modernized and the Marinette store was opened.
All of the stores were known not only for their outstanding customer service but also for a selection of excellent foods. The Angeli stores received numerous honors from industry trade publications. Mr. Angeli was particularly proud to receive the Michigan Grocers Association’s first Al Kessel Outstanding Achievement Award in 2013. Throughout his leadership, Mr. Angeli continued the Angeli family tradition of supporting community events, including the Upper Peninsula Championship Rodeo started by his father Libero Angeli in 1968.
Preceded in death by his parents, Libero and Nora Mae Angeli; Mr. Angeli is survived by his wife, Beth (Kreuz), and children Sam and Lyda. Also surviving are his siblings, Nora (Vincent) Petrucelli, Sara Jane (Ron/Rosco) Basso, Marian Angeli, and Sam (Gina) Angeli.
Mr. Angeli’s wife and children wish to acknowledge and thank both Dr. Sudir Kushwaha, from the Mayo Clinic, and Dr. Robert Han, for their continuing medical care in the years following his heart transplant in 2000.
Mr. Angeli’s life was best summed up by one of his lifelong friends: “Fred was a remarkable person who valued his friends and family, just as he did his employees.”