Louis Mozer
Louis Mozer, a Denver native and co-founder of United Food Service, passed away Aug. 13, 2018, in Denver. Rabbi Bruce Dollin officiated at the Aug. 16 service at the HEA. Burial followed at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
“Lou was a deeply religious man who could recite the Torah from memory,” his family said. “During the High Holidays he would conduct services along with a couple of associates at the Canon City Penitentiary for the better part of his life.
“An active Shriner, he loved dressing up as a clown on Sunday mornings and entertaining children at local hospitals, as well as participating in the annual Shriners’ Circus.”
Mr. Mozer was born in 1924 in Denver to the late Max and Rose Mozer. He worked at the original Grand Junction Fruit Company in downtown Denver at age 10. Raised in an Orthodox home, he studied at the Hebrew Theological Seminary in Chicago.
After graduating yeshiva and rabbinical school, Mr. Mozer returned to Denver to join the family’s food distribution business.
Along with his father Max and brother Sidney, he helped build one of the largest food distribution companies in the Rocky Mountain region.
Under Mr. Mozer’s guidance, the company expanded its lines, was one of the first Denver businesses to distribute frozen food and developed the concept of one-stop-shopping for the wholesale food industry.
The family later sold United Food Service.
Mr. Mozer was a member of the Colorado Restaurant Hall of Fame, Ifsi Hall of Fame, recipient of the Restaurant Assn. Man of the Year Award and other awards and distinctions.
Predeceased by first wife Kate Miriam (Mitzi) Stern Mozer, he then married Delores Mozer.
Near the end of his career, Mr. Mozer wrote a weekly column for the Restaurant News of the Rockies, which chronicled the history of Denver-area restaurants. He considered this one of his most satisfying accomplishments.
He also taught food service at DU and the HEA Hebrew School.
“His religious beliefs never left his sight,” the family said. “But in addition to his serious side, Lou had a joke for any topic.
“Lou was a marvelous husband, father and great-grandfather and will be dearly missed by all.”
Mr. Mozer is survived his wife Delores Mozer; children Michelle (David) Ariel and Stefan (Lisa) Mozer; grandchildren Daniel (Jessica) Ariel, Michael (Christina) Ariel, Justin Mozer and Marisa Mozer; great-grandchildren Avery Ariel and Noah Ariel; and step-children Dan, Vince, Mathew Toenjes and Laura (Toenjes) Demaree.
Contributions may be made to the HEA or Shriners Hospital.
Copyright © 2018 by the Intermountain Jewish News
