<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2k4FqE_0w9lW4gz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2k4FqE_0w9lW4gz00" width="336" height="460" ><figcaption>Thomas Violante (PHOTO COURTESY OF AJ DESMOND AND SONS FUNERAL HOME)</figcaption></figure>Growing a business from a modest local grocery store to a community staple that caters to both shoppers and those looking to hone their culinary skills is the legacy left behind by a local man.Thomas Violante, founder of Holiday Market in Royal Oak, died Tuesday, Oct. 15 at his Birmingham home at the age of 95.Violante was revolutionary in the grocery industry, developing programs that included an in-store bakery, freshly made submarine sandwiches, beers from around the world and one of the first retailers to be open on Sundays. Holiday Market is celebrating 70 years in business with a celebration on Saturday.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0jT86z_0w9lW4gz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0jT86z_0w9lW4gz00" width="1536" height="2048" ><figcaption>A student plays saxophone in front of Holiday Market in 2018 as part of the annual Tag Days fundraiser for the Royal Oak High School’s instrumental music program. The grocery store was founded by Thomas Violante and wife Janet in 1954. (Tribune file photo)</figcaption></figure>Holiday began as a small neighborhood butcher shop and specialty store in 1954. Today in addition to a thriving location in Royal Oak that includes the Mirepoix Cooking School, Holiday operates a specialty shop in Birmingham.He served in the United Air Force during the Korean War prior to his grocery industry start. He was chair of the Royal Oak Boys and Girls Club, Lions Club and the Oak Park School District Board of Trustees as well as serving as a community chest for countless other charities. Relatives remarked he was a devoted family man.Violante was known for his involvement in the community but also for having direct interaction with shoppers, often interacting with them from a stool he sat on next to a bank of checkout registers at the Royal Oak store while wielding a microphone to call on employees to assist shoppers.On the Royal Oak City Hall Facebook page Wednesday, an announcement of Violante’s death was met with well wishes for his family and memories.“I used to shop at Holiday Market when I was growing up, lived two blocks away. He was the nicest guy you would ever want to meet,” said Kelly Clark.“My Husband Lee, is 71, and he grew up here in RO (Royal Oak). He often would tell me of a time when he was a small child, and his parents were having trouble making ends meet. Tom would let them buy groceries and allow them to pay him back later,” said Sandi Cook Poirier.Violante is survived by his wife of 70 years, Janet; children, Gina (Craig) Mangold, Lisa (John) Pardington, Lori London, Tommy (Ann Marie); grandchildren Shelby, Adam, Leanne, Jenny, Alison, Claire, Emily, Jack, Abigail, Noah, Antonia and Tommy along with numerous great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son, Steven Violante; and his grandchildren Max Pardington, Christopher Violante and Audrey Saier.A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1800 West Maple Road, Birmingham, followed by a brief gathering in the church common area.Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Friday at A.J. Desmond and Sons Funeral Home, 32515 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak. Additional visitation is 10-11 a.m. Saturday at the church.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Royal Oak Lions Club or the Metro Detroit Youth Club.</div></body>

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Holiday Market founder Thomas Violante remembered for connection to community

Growing a business from a modest local grocery store to a community staple that caters to both shoppers and those looking to hone their culinary skills is the legacy left behind by a local man. Thomas Violante, founder of Holiday Market in Royal Oak, died Tuesday, Oct. 15 at his...