ERIE, Pa. -- Ray L. McGarvey Ph.D., the founder of the Country Fair Store chain of convenience stores in Erie, Pa., died Saturday at age 77.
McGarvey was born in Erie, Pa., on July 13, 1932. After losing his mother at the age of 5, he was raised by his father and grandparents on the family farm in Union City, Pa. It was there, according to an obituary in the Erie Times-News, that McGarvey learned the value of hard work that would lead to a successful business career.
McGarvey was a 1950 graduate of Academy High School, then attended Penn State Behrend. He [image-nocss] transferred to the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and economics. He then pursued his master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, which he earned in 1959.
At the age of 26, he worked side by side with his father and then succeeded him in the leadership of Meadow Brook Dairy. He founded and opened the first Country Fair Store in 1966. In 2001, when the company was purchased by United Refining Co., the family run business had 75 stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.
Country Fair Inc. sent the following note to its employees yesterday morning:
It is with great sadness that we at Country Fair, Inc. acknowledge the passing of our founder, Dr. Ray McGarvey. Ray died on Saturday, Dec. 19, after an extended illness. We will all remember Ray for his outstanding leadership and vision for our company, as well as his enormous heart for the community.
Ray defined entrepreneurship as operator of Meadow Brook Dairy and subsequently, Country Fair stores, building the company from a single location in 1966 to 75 stores strong in PA, NY and Ohio by 2001.
Ray's mantra continues to be the company's mission statement to this day: "To create a pleasant shopping experience for 'every customer, every time' by total commitment to meet or exceed customer expectations in all respects."
Although Ray sold the company to United Refining Co. in 2001, he had kept ties and friendships with many in the Country Fair family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ray's family during their time of mourning.
McGarvey is the husband of 54 years to Virginia Lancaster McGarvey; father of Keith McGarvey (Linda) of Millcreek, Emy McGarvey Dougan (Gary) of Harborcreek and Steve McGarvey, who passed away in 2005; and grandfather of Kaitlin, Samuel, Broderick, Kirsten, Danyelle and Nathan.
Friends may call at the Dusckas Funeral Home Inc., East, 2607 Buffalo Road, Erie, Pa., on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to attend a funeral service at Wesley United Methodist Church on Thursday at 10 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scouts of America, French Creek Council, 1815 Robison Rd. W, Erie, Pa., 16509; Erie City Mission, 1023 French St., Erie, Pa., 16501; or Erie Community Foundation, 459 West 6th St., Erie, Pa., 16501. To send condolences, visit www.dusckasfuneralhome.com.
CSP Daily News sends its condolences to Country Fair and McGarvey's family and friends.
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