Joseph Cowhey, 63, a member of the Wakefern family, a dedicated community and business leader and the owner-operator of the ShopRite of Warminster – a role he considered the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, passed away on April 5.
Cowhey was a supermarket industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience with Wakefern and ShopRite. To run the Warminster ShopRite, he, his wife Deborah and daughters returned to the Huntingdon Valley, PA area where he grew up. The Warminster store truly became a family business as they worked together in the store and within the Warminster community to support many charitable efforts.
Cowhey began his journey with ShopRite working with the Kenny family and their company, Delaware Supermarkets. He worked for company chairman Bernie Kenny, whom he considered a career mentor.
With his purchase of the ShopRite of Warminster, Cowhey quickly became a leader in the local business community and was dedicated to helping others in every way he could. He was focused on wellness, education, safety and park programs in Warminster township and the surrounding areas.
In partnership with William Tennent High School, Cowhey and his store team created an innovative ShopRite Career Lab for young people to train for jobs in retail and grocery. He also teamed up with Doylestown Hospital in 2013 to pilot a community outreach program. The program was affiliated with the hospital but located within the ShopRite of Warminster, where people could access free diabetes, blood pressure and skin cancer screenings and medical referrals and resources. That pilot turned into a program that lasted for seven years and became a lifetime relationship for Cowhey.
Other ways Cowhey has supported the community include: sponsoring the annual Warminster Day celebration; hosting multiple fundraisers to support community children’s playgrounds; supplying police dogs and raising funds to purchase a police car for the Warminster Township Police Department, and supporting the local fire department and food pantries.
Cowhey also helped establish the Michael G. Fitzpatrick Foundation named for his close friend, the former Congressman from Bucks County, and he was an active supporter of this foundation.
At Wakefern, Cowhey served on the government relations committee and was a regular participant of Wakefern’s legislator day in Washington, DC.
“Joe loved the business. His ability to deliver on all that the ShopRite brand has to offer, coupled with his keen understanding of his customers and support of the community, made him a great Member of our Wakefern cooperative family. He will be greatly missed. Debbie, Kelsey, Kara and Grace are in our thoughts and prayers,” said Wakefern chairman and CEO Joseph S. Colalillo.
Cowhey is survived by his wife Deborah; three daughters, Kelsey, Kara, and Grace; sisters Dolly and Rose; his brother Tom, and Dawn Cowhey.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Joe Cowhey may be made in support of Doylestown Health. Checks made payable to “Doylestown Health Foundation” can be sent to 595 West State Street, Doylestown, PA 18901. Donations can also be received online at www.DoylestownHealthFoundation.org/tribute [doylestownhealthfoundation.org].