Joseph Anthony Sugar, Jr., age 82, died May 7, 2015, surrounded by his family. He was born June 22, 1932 in Columbus, OH to the late Joseph and Alice Sugar. After being raised in Bexley and graduating from Culver Military Academy, Joe attended Princeton University. While at Princeton, Joe was captain of the varsity golf team and Vice President of his senior class. Most notably, he inspired the famous “Joe Sugar Riots” of 1953, which remain part of campus lore to this day. Following his graduation in 1954, Joe briefly served in the U.S. Army before returning to Columbus and opening a variety of different restaurants and bars. His entrepreneurial spirit eventually led to his founding of Sugar Food Corp., an early innovator in customized food service distribution. Through a series of mergers, the company continues to operate today as The SYGMA Network, a company with annual sales in excess of $5 billion. Joe’s strong work ethic and easy manner were evident in all of his pursuits. His career as an accomplished amateur golfer was highlighted by competition in the 1958 U.S.G.A. Amateur Championship and the 1984 U.S. Senior Open. As a leading owner of thoroughbred horses in Ohio for many years, he won Horse of the Year honors with Major Adversary in 1995. A passion for thoroughbred racing also led to his executive leadership at Beulah Park Jockey Club, where he developed a number of lasting friendships. Joe was a member of several different clubs over the years, including the Athletic Club of Columbus, Scioto Country Club, The Golf Club, Double Eagle Golf Club and Indian Creek Country Club. At Scioto, Joe’s home course, he won a club championship and also served as the club’s president. In a life filled with so much activity, Joe found great peace in his Catholic faith and always cherished the time that he spent with his family. He was a devoted father who never raised his voice and a grandfather who delivered doughnuts every Saturday morning. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mimi; children, Susan (Bob) Gerlach, Joe III (Amy) Sugar, and David (Meredith) Sugar; grandchildren, Emily, Charlotte, Robby and Jed Gerlach, Sally, Sophie, and Anna Sugar; step grandchildren, Jack, Luke, and Jonah; and siblings Barbara Connor, Jim (Susan) Sugar, Jack (Sally) Sugar; and Dorothy (Fritz) Ziegler. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Tuesday May 12, 2015 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 1559 Roxbury Rd., where the family will receive friends in the Parish Hall on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Msgr. Romano Ciotola Celebrant. Arrangements by SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite story about Joe. As his grandchildren can attest, he loved telling stories! In his memory, contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF), www.jdrf.org.
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