Mourners gathered in Norwalk to say farewell to a man who created one of the state's best known food stores.

A public wake for Stew Leonard's Sr. was held at St. Matthew's Church in Norwalk. He died last week at the age of 93.

Stew Leonard's opened its doors in Norwalk in December 1969. The 1,700 square-foot store carried just eight items.

The company has grown into a $600 million business with seven locations in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.

"He made shopping an experience, he made it fun even a place where I would go grocery shopping, so I will miss him dearly," said Gov. Ned Lamont.

Many people who paid their respects work at Stew Leonard's stores around the region.

"He helped so many people, he was so undercover and did so much for so many people behind the scenes and he never wanted any recognition," said Leonard's nephew Dan Arthur.