Murray Lender, Bagel Leader and Local Resident, Dies at 81

Murray Lender brought his father’s niche specialty – bagels – to a national audience. The Woodbridge man died in Florida on Thursday the age of 81, but his memory – and his bagels – live on.

"He was courageous, strong and an example to everyone to show how one should go through life with a vision, ambition, a goal and with success," his wife, Gillie Lender, told the Associated Press.

According to the Lender’s Bagels website, Murray’s father, Harry, emigrated from Poland and opened up an 800 square-foot bakery in New Haven.

The company continued to grow and Murray eventually became CEO of the national company. Their bagels were brought to grocery stores throughout the country.

The funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. at in Woodbridge. He will be buried at B’nai Jacob Memorial Park at 200 Wintergreen Avenue in New Haven.