Former Giant Foods CEO Pete Manos Dies at 79

»Information from the George P. Kalas Funeral Home website.

Pete L. Manos, 79, of Annapolis, the former president and CEO of Giant Foods, died Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born Dec. 29, 1936, in Washington, DC, to the late George and Ardy Manos.

Pete was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Barbara, whom he married in 1960 and who died only 11 weeks ago.

He is survived by their two daughters, Helene Manos of Annapolis and Cindy Manos and her husband, Mark Colvin of Millersville, MD; his grandson, Anthony; a sister, Mary Gitlin of Florida; brother, Christ Manos of Florida; nephew Jimmy Manos of Florida, and many nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

Upon graduation from high school in 1954, Pete joined the U.S. Navy and served at the Submarine Base - New London until he was honorably discharged to care for his family. He earned both a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Science Degree by Ben Franklin University.

Manos joined Giant Food (now a Fortune 500 company) in 1960 at the age of 24 as an accounting clerk. He was appointed president of Giant Food in 1992 and CEO in 1995. He was a gruff, cigar-smoking leader adored by his employees, who often gifted him with Teddy Bears making reference to his softer side. The Food World Newspaper created an award in his honor, the “Pete Manos Award,” given to the “Retail Executive of the Year.” He retired in January 1999, with over 1,000 guests attending his retirement dinner.

Pete was passionate about helping others and touched the lives of many different people. He served for many years as a board member for The Children’s Cancer Foundation, one of his favorite charities. Pete received numerous other leadership and humanitarian awards throughout the years from various organizations for his work in the community. He was honored with the prestigious “Second Genesis Man of the Year” award in April 1999. He also received the “Dickie Award,” named for former President Richard Nixon. This award is in honor of his warmth, charisma, compassion, and honesty.

Manos loved attending Washington Redskins football games, Washington Capitals hockey games and Baltimore Oriole baseball games.

Friends may call on Thursday, Jan. 14, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater.

A service will be held on Friday, Jan. 15, at 10 a.m. at Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2747 Riva Road in Annapolis. Interment will follow at Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc., 5570 Sterrett Place, Ste. 204, Columbia, MD 21044 (www.childrenscancerfoundation.org) or a charity of your choice.