Thomas Karol

Zaucha

With gratitude for the life they shared, Bernadette and Rachel announce that their husband and father, Thomas Karol Zaucha, died on November 12th at home in Baltimore.

Tom was known for his intelligence, leadership, warmth, quick wit, love of family and passionate commitment to the independent food industry. He was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania on April 11, 1944 to Joseph M. Zaucha and Nellie (Kula) Zaucha.

Selected by his high school graduating class to be Mr. B.H.S (Brownsville High School), Tom was a national oratorical champion. He attended the University of Pittsburgh on a forensics scholarship and was a key member of the debate team for four years. After graduation he coached the national championship debate team at Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School and then became debate coach at George Washington University.

In 1971, Tom took his communication skills into the trade association world. He started in the food industry and stayed there for his entire professional career. In 1973, he became the Director of Public Affairs for the National Association of Food Chains and then moved on to the A&P Tea Company where he was Director of Government Affairs. Shortly thereafter he was selected as President of the Cooperative Food Distributors of America (CFDA). In 1982, he became the president and CEO of The National Grocers Association (NGA), newly formed from the merger of CFDA and the National Association of Retail Grocers of the United States (NARGUS). The mission of NGA was and is to advocate and provide services for community-based independent retail grocers and the wholesalers who service them. Over 28 years, Tom and his team grew NGA into a powerful voice in Washington and a strong resource for its thousands of members.

Tom loved his nephews, nieces and in-laws, the Redskins and the Ravens, baseball, golf, travel, attending any sporting event Rachel was participating in, joking with his friends, substantive discussions, lunches at Barracuda's and good Chardonnays.

But most of all, he loved Bernadette, his wife of 59 years, and his daughter, Rachel.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.