62 | MAY 12 • 2022 

W

hen asked about 
himself, Paul 
Borman would 
say he was “just a guy who 
sold bananas.
” To everyone 
else, he was an inspiring 
community leader, a staunch 
Israel supporter, a generous 
philanthropist, an innovative 
entrepreneur, and a devoted 
son, brother, husband, father, 
grandfather and great-grand-
father. Paul Borman, former 
CEO of Farmer Jack super-
markets, died May 3, 2022, 
surrounded by the family he 
held so dear. He was 89.
Paul was born in Detroit in 
1932 to Molly and Abraham 
Borman, who exemplified the 
importance of Jewish tradition 
and devotion to family. When 
Abraham and his brother, 
Tom, emigrated from Russia, 
they opened a neighborhood 
fruit stand, which later became 
one of Detroit’s largest grocery 
chains, due in large part to 
Paul’s exemplary work ethic 
and exceptional business acu-
men.
After graduating from 
Highland Park High School, 
Paul attended Michigan State 
University in 1953, earning a 
degree in food marketing. He 
served as a cook in the Army 
before meeting the love of 
his life, Marlene Jaffa. Their 
67-year marriage was a true 
partnership in every sense 
of the word, encompassing 
romance, shared values and 
mutual respect. Together they 
raised three sons and created a 
home where Jewish traditions 
were honored and family was 
central. 
Despite leaving for the 
office before the children were 
awake in the morning, he 
always arrived home in time 

for dinner. While he enjoyed 
special relationships with each 
of his sons, he had uncom-
promising standards and high 
expectations. 
In 1962, Paul became pres-
ident of Borman Foods, mak-
ing his one of the youngest 
CEOs of a public company in 
the country. He led the tran-
sition from the former Food 
Fair stores to the popular and 
successful Farmer Jack super-
market chain. By the early 
1980s, the company had more 
than 100 stores, 7,500 employ-
ees and more than $1 billion 
in revenue.
He used innovative mar-
keting techniques that distin-
guished Farmer Jack stores 
from the competition. He 
was the largest importer of 
Israeli grocery products, car-
rying items that were not sold 
elsewhere. He lent further 
support to Israel by helping 
food manufacturers prepare 
and package their products for 
the U.S. market and encourag-
ing Jewish grocers across the 
country to stock their stores 
with Israeli products. 
He and Marlene made 
countless trips to Israel, serv-

ing as guides to former Detroit 
Free Press publisher David 
Lawrence and Vice President 
George Bush. 
For all his accomplish-
ments, his family was his most 
important legacy. He took 
great delight in watching his 
family grow, embracing his 
sons’ wives and their families 
as his own. His granddaugh-
ter Molly described him as a 
“warm, kind, silly and hum-
ble” Zaydie who loved spend-
ing time with his grandchil-
dren and great-grandchildren.
Paul was devoted to the 
city of Detroit, keeping the 
Detroit Farmer Jack stores 
open during the 1967 riots 
and later adding new stores to 
provide jobs and fresh food 
to the local communities. He 
believed in keeping prices uni-
form in every store, from city 
to suburbs. 
He further demonstrated 
his commitment to Detroit 
as a founding member of 
New Detroit and a board 
member of several orga-
nizations including the 
United Foundation, the 
Detroit Symphony, the 
Detroit Economic Growth 
Corporation and the 
University of Detroit.
When the iconic 
Thanksgiving parade was in 
jeopardy, Paul was part of a 
small group of Detroit CEOs 
who ensured the event would 
continue by establishing 
the Michigan Thanksgiving 
Parade Foundation. For many 
years, he was part of the 
parade’s “clown corps,
” a tradi-
tion carried on by his sons and 
grandchildren.
He and Marlene were 
involved in numerous phil-
anthropic efforts throughout 

their lives, in metro Detroit 
and beyond, including found-
ing the Jewish studies program 
at Michigan State University 
and overseeing worldwide 
fundraising for the Hermelin 
Campus for World ORT in 
Israel. 
Despite receiving countless 
awards and accolades, Paul 
preferred to stay out of the 
limelight, a “humble grocer” 
who touched the lives of thou-
sands in his own quiet way. 
Paul Borman is survived 
by his loving wife of 67 years, 
Marlene; sons and daugh-
ters-in-law, Stuart (Hilary) 
Borman, Gilbert Borman and 
Eric (Julie) Borman; grand-
children, Molly and Larry 
Borman Heymont, Hannah 
and Marc Crane, Harry 
Borman, Samuel Borman, 
Jonathan and Whitney 
Borman, Alex Borman; 
great-grandchildren, Henry 
Heymont, Claire Crane and 
Stella Crane; and brother and 
sister-in-law, Leonard (Bobbie) 
Borman. He was also the 
brother of the late Nettie (the 
late Morey) Firestone.
Interment was at Clover Hill 
Park Cemetery. Contributions 
may be made to Weizmann 
Institute, 6735 Telegraph 
Road, Suite 365, Bloomfield 
Hills, MI 48301, weizmann-
usa.org; ORT America 
Michigan Region, 6735 
Telegraph Road, Suite 350, 
Bloomfield Township, MI 
48301, ortamerica.org; Hebrew 
Free Loan, 6735 Telegraph 
Road, Suite 300, Bloomfield 
Hills, MI 48301, hfldetroit.org; 
or The Parade Company, 9500 
Mt. Elliott, Studio A, Detroit, 
MI 48211, theparade.org. 
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman 
Chapel. 

An Unassuming Powerhouse 

Paul Borman

RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

