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Albert A. Tennin, Retail Deli Executive
Facts and Events
About Albert "Al" Tennin
Albert "Al" Tennin was born 14 March 1910 in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, the son and one of six children, of Charles Tennin (b. 1865) and his wife Sarah Cantor (b. 1872), both immigrants from Romania that came to America in 1888 and were married in 1894. [1900 Census Records] Al's father Charles worked in the food industry on the wholesale produce side of the business, so he was familiar with the industry. Al worked early on in his childhood shining shoes and selling newspapers at the age of seven. After graduating from high school in 1928, the family moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he studied Accounting for two years at DePaul Night School and got his first real job as an office boy for Crowell Publishing Co., later known as Collier's. In 1933 during the Chicago World's Fair, Al was hired by a photo finishing firm as a film developer, and afterwards he decided to start his own film developing service, but the stiff competition from low-priced film developers led to his start-up company's demise.
Coming to Los Angeles in 1940, on a vacation trip with his brother, Al found the warmer climate to his liking and decided to stay. He tried getting jobs in the photo finishing and garment industry, but there were no jobs available, but he was lucky enough to land a job working for a produce distributor selling produce. Al's deli career was launched in 1941, when he was hired by Leo Zendell, who ran the deli and liquor concession at La Cienga Farms. Leo taught Al to cut cheese, make variety salads, slice meats, cut lox and a slab, and make fish in sour cream.
In 1943, Al was inducted into the United States Air Force, where he served in the 6th Ferrying Group (later called the Air Transport Command), and was shipped overseas to India, where he was stationed at Chubua Air Force Station in India. His unit was responsible for hauling supplies over the Himalayas to other units. He was also attached to the Rescue Squadron, parachuting food and supplies to lost crewman. Later, his unit was transfered to Myitkyina in central Burma. At the end of the war in August 1945, Al and two war buddies went on to that once-in-a-lifetime leave to fabled Kashmir, the "garden spot of the world".
After the war, Al resumed his deli career with Leo Zendell, who was then at the Imperial Market at 6th and Vermont in Los Angeles, as Manager of the deli and liquor deparments. He later joined Better Food Markets as a deli manager and worked in various locations in the 10-store chain. In 1954, Al was hired by deli industry legend Harry Schneider, then the deli buyer at The Boys Market, who taught Al much about merchandising.
Al then joined Foods Co. as its Deli Manager of the Santa Barbara and Vermont Ave., Los Angeles location, working under Deli Supervisor Maurice Zwick, staying there for the next 7½ years. In 1961, Al joined King Cole Market where he was eventually promoted from deli to Vice President of Public Relations in 1967. While working at King Cole Market, Al was active in a local Southern California food-industry trade association, the Dairy/Deli/Bakery Council (DDBC), an organization that still exists today in 2014. For his leadership in the Deli industry, he was recognized by the Deli Council in July 1967, when he received its "Big Cheese" Award.
Albert Tennin passed away on 18 September 1995 in Hemet, Riverside County, California. His wife Frankie S. [Neville] Tennin pre-deceased him in 1986. He will always be remembered for his dedication and support of the supermarket delicatessan industry.
Image Gallery
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 California. Department of Public Health. Bureau of Vital Statistics. Death Index, 1940-1997.
Name: Albert A Tennin
Social Security #: 318051331
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 14 Mar 1910
Birth Place: Minnesota
Death Date: 18 Sep 1995
Death Place: Riverside
Mother's Maiden Name: Cantor
- Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index: Death Master File, database. (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service).
Name: Albert A. Tennin
SSN: 318-05-1331
Last Residence: 92543 Hemet, Riverside, California, USA
BORN: 14 Mar 1910
Died: 18 Sep 1995
State (Year) SSN issued: Illinois (Before 1951)
- ↑ Find A Grave.
Albert A Tennin
Birth: Mar. 14, 1910
Death: Sep. 18, 1995
SSGT, US ARMY AIR CORPS
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=1245585&ref=acom
- United States. National Archives and Records Administration (ARC # 1263923). World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946. (2002).
U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: Albert A Tennin
Birth Year: 1910
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Minnesota
State of Residence: California
County or City: Los Angeles
Enlistment Date: 7 Jan 1943
Enlistment State: California
Enlistment City: Los Angeles
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life
Education:
4 years of high school
Civil Occupation:
Bartenders
Marital Status:
Single, without dependents
Height:
66
Weight:
130
- United States. 1930 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T626).
1930 U.S. Census Population Schedule
Name: Albert Tenin
[Albert Levin]
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1910
Birthplace: Minnesota
Race: White
Home in 1930: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: Charles Tenin
Father's Birthplace: Romania
Mother's name: Sarah Tenin
Mother's Birthplace: Romania
Occupation: Salesman, Magazines
Attended School in prior year: No
Veteran: No
Rent/home value: N/A
Age at first marriage: N/A
Household Members: Name Age
Charles Tenin 62
Sarah Tenin 58
Nathan Tenin 29
Albert Tenin 20
Samuel Tenin 22
Pearl Tenin 28
Helen Tenin 17
Melvin Tenin 17
- United States. 1940 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T627).
1940 U.S. Census Population Schedule
Name: Albert Tennin
Age: 30
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1910
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Minnesota
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Brother
Home in 1940: Chicago, Cook, Illin
Street: Magnolia Avenue
Inferred Residence in 1935: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Residence in 1935: Same Place
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Sheet Number: 3A
Occupation: Chauffeur
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Duration of Unemployment: 102
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 0
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members: Name Age
Samuel Tennin 32
Nathan Tennin 39
Melvin Tennin 28
Albert Tennin 30
Babe Tennin 35
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