Robert P. Panasuk

COLONIE, NY – Robert R. Panasuk, 54, of Colonie, passed away suddenly at home on Monday, March 14, 2011. Born in Queens, NY, Bob was the son of the late Benjamin and Dorothy Panasuk. He was a graduate of Boston College's Wallace & Carroll School of Management. Bob managed many stores for Price Chopper Supermarkets throughout the Capital Region from 1974-1984. From 1984 - 1989, Bob was Director of Grocery Merchandising and Purchasing for First National Supermarkets in Windsor Locks, CT. In 1989, he became Director of Sales and Marketing with Grossman's in Braintree, MA until 1993. Bob was Vice President of Food Enterprises New England from 1993-1995 in Canton, MA. Starting in 1995, Bob held various executive level positions with the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company in Montvale, NJ, including Vice President of Merchandising – A & P New England, President – A & P New England, Executive Vice President – A & P Canada, President of Waldbaum's, and Executive Vice President of Merchandising, Marketing and Distribution for A & P U.S. through 2005. After leaving A & P, Bob accepted the difficult turn around challenge for the Penn Traffic Company – P & C Foods, as CEO and President in 2006-2007. After leaving the boardroom, Bob was a Consultant, Advisor and Operating Partner with RMEG until his passing. In addition to the many positions Bob held, he also gave generously to each community in his leadership as Director and President of various charity organizations including: Metropolitan Development Association in Syracuse, Waldbaum's Charity Foundation on Long Island, NY and Super Foodmart's Charity Foundation in Springfield, MA. Bob's hobbies included real estate, golf, and spending time with his friends and family. Bob is the beloved husband of 34 years to Janice M. (Libruk) Panasuk. He is the loving brother of Katie (Jim) Perez of Troy, NY, James (Linda) Panasuk of Edgewater, FL, Thomas Panasuk of Guilderland, NY and Scott Panasuk of Orlando, FL. Bob is the son-in-law of Catherine Libruk of Stottville, NY and the late James (Mitch) Libruk. He is the brother-in-law of James Libruk and his wife, Elaine and their children, Michael and Laura, all of Latham, NY and Jimmy Libruk of Washington, D.C. , Michele Mueller and her husband, Randy and their children, Michael and Jennifer, all of Colonie, NY. Also surviving are many cousins, friends and colleagues. Bob's life is truly a celebration of achievements where "Food & Family" came first.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 498 Watervliet Shaker Road, in Latham. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave). Interment will be in Memory Gardens, Colonie. At the request of the family, contributions may be made to The Regional Food Bank of NENY, 965 Watervliet Shaker Rd., Latham, NY 12110 in memory of Robert R. Panasuk.