SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Henry A. Boney, the National Association of Convenience Stores' the first elected leader, passed away on December 14,at the age of 91, the association said.
"The entire NACS family is deeply saddened by this loss," NACS President and CEO Hank Armour told NACS Online.
"Henry Boney was a true visionary, said Kerley LeBoeuf, who served as NACS president and CEO from 1981 to 2005. "He could see the need for an association to represent this emerging industry to the supplier community and government. While he only [image-nocss] operated a handful of stores, Henry took the initiative to gather industry retailers to form NACS.
Boney was born Aug. 18, 1914, in Kress, Texas. He moved to California in 1934 and in 1943 began his career in retail, selling peaches at a fruit stand in Las Mesa with his wife Jessie. The business grew and in 1950, they opened their first store in Chula Vista. Later, Boney founded Speedee Mart. Although he sold the company in 1964, the Boney family remains active in retail.
NACS was launched in 1961with36 retail membersoperating more than 3,000 stores. In Living the American Dream (1999), authored by Henry and Jessie Boney, they reflected upon the founding of NACS: "In 1961 Henry decided that the burgeoning convenience store industry needed a professional organization to promote its interests. He called 14 owners, presidents and general managers of convenience stores across the country, told them he was hosting a one-day meeting at the historic Muhlebach Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, for the purpose of setting up such an organization, and invited them all to attend. All those invited showed up."
The initial meeting in 1961 was so successful that it extended to a second day, at which time the group agreed to form an association after they received word (via telegram) from Southland and U-Tote-M that they would join the new group. Harry Hunter, who worked for Boney's grocery wholesaler, was proposed by Boney to serve as executive director, a position that he accepted and held for 20 years. Boney was named NACS president, which is today known as chairman of the board.
Reflecting upon the 40th anniversary of NACS in 2001, Boney commented: "The goal that we set was a goal that we would organize and that we would become an association to help one another. We felt we accomplished what we set out to do in the business, as well as assisting the others in what they were doing. That's what we tried to do and I think we accomplished that."
"He had a vision that very few people had, and he had a memory that anybody would love to have," long-time friend Chuck Reed told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "He just had a real good feel of what was going on day to day. He was really an entrepreneur, and he just had a way of making it work.
Boney also was known for his strong work ethic, a trait he passed on to his children. "We were brought up to work," son Stan Boney, now the owner of the Sprouts Farmers Market in Arizona, told the Union-Tribune.
In the early 1950s, Boney owned and operated the grocery stores Boney's, Bradshaw's and Superama, and served on the state and local executive committees of the Grocers Association.
In 1956, the Boneys sold the grocery stores and started the c-store chain Speedee Mart, which is believed to be the first convenience chain to franchise its stores. After selling Speedee Mart to Southland Corp. in 1964, Boney became active in politics and philanthropy.
Boney helped sons Steve and Stan and daughter Darlene also start their own grocery businesses. In 1975, Steve opened the Windmill Farms, which later became Boney's Marketplace. In 1997, the stores were named Henry's Marketplace, and one of them was owned and operated by Henry and Jessie. The chain was sold to Wild Oats in 1999, and Scott and Stan Boney continued with other grocery ventures.
Survivors include his wife, Jessie; sons Steve, Stan, Scott, Kenny and Bob; daughter Darlene Darr; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Condolences can be sent to Jessie Boney at 9559 Starlight Lane, La Mesa, CA92041.Donations are suggested to College Avenue Baptist Church, 4747 College Avenue, San Diego, CA 92115; or Boy Scouts of America, National Council, PO Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079.
CSP Daily News sends condolences to his family, his friends and his colleagues.
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