Max Alterman

Family-Placed Death Notice

ALTERMAN, Max MAX ALTERMAN Max Alterman, 89, one of five brothers who operated the Big Apple and Food Giant grocery chain that once commanded nearly one-third of Georgia's retail grocery business, died of natural causes Saturday at his Atlanta residence. Mr. Alterman was born in Atlanta in 1919, the seventh of eight children. His father, Louis Alterman, a Russian immigrant, founded the family business in 1923 as a small wholesale company. In 1939, Mr. Alterman and four of his five older brothers launched the retail grocery business, Alterman Foods Inc., and the industry in Georgia was on its way to being revolutionized. They opened the first supermarket in Atlanta on Marietta Street. The store was named Big Apple after a popular dance of the time. The company grew quickly and operated under the banner of Big Apple and Food Giant Supermarkets. Mr. Alterman served as Alterman Foods' chief operating officer and president, and by the 1970s he managed more than 100 supermarkets and 4,500 employees. The company also had a wholesale division, ABC Food Stores, which supplied independent grocery stores throughout the state and enabled the Alterman brothers to indirectly command a far greater share of Georgia's grocery business. In 1980, the business was sold, and Mr. Alterman retired soon after. "He was a kind and gentle man," said his son Robert Alterman of Atlanta. "He was the most positive person I've ever known and was a wonderful role model for our family." Mr. Alterman was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Rosalyn Sugarman Alterman, his daughter Peggy Alterman Shulman, and his great granddaughter Lucy Blue Alterman. Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Tara Alterman, Bruce and Sally Alterman of Atlanta, his six grandchildren and their spouses and ten great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that contributions be made to the Weinstein Hospice, 3150 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30327 or call 404-352-4308. The funeral for Max Alterman will be held at 2 p.m. TODAY at H.M Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel with Rabbi Dr. Alvin M. Sugarman officiating. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. 404-851-9900