Grocery executive Don Haggen passed away Friday, Aug. 25 after a brief illness. He was 80 years old.

Haggen, along with his brother Rick, grew the family business, Haggen Inc., to be the largest independent grocer in the Pacific Northwest, with 29 stores. His parents, Ben and Dorothy Haggen, operated a single store in Bellingham when he joined the business in 1957.

In 1973, Don and Rick Haggen became the primary stockholders and Don became president of the company. Don and Rick served as co-chairmen until earlier this year, when they sold a majority stake of the company to the Comvest Group, a private investment firm in Florida.

Haggen also served in leadership positions in other organizations, including the Coca Cola Chairman’s Council and the Western Association of Food Chains.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Sept. 1. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bellingham.