The founder of Lauer’s Supermarket and Bakery, Edward Lauer, died Jan. 2 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, according to an employee at the store.

Lauer’s has been serving the Pasadena and Riviera Beach communities for 37 years. A Facebook post regarding Lauer’s passing received numerous comments from concerned patrons and community members.

Jim Canupp, Lauer’s store manager in Pasadena, was hired by Lauer when he was 16 years old and worked for him for the last 52 years.

“Everybody is saddened of course,” Canupp said. “He was well-liked by all of the employees, and they are doing what he would want them to do. They are carrying on with the job at hand. It certainly is a sad thing.”