Marchi retires after 30 years at Cape store

Dennis Marchi, the newly retired manager of Cape Girardeau's Schnucks, has received high praise from his colleagues and community as he concludes a career that has spanned 30 years in Cape Girardeau and 45 years with the St. Louis-based company. Mind you, he was not at familiar with Cape before he came, expecting to remain for three years, and over the years he turned down several promotions offered by Schnucks that would have moved him back to St. Louis. Schnucks and the community won his and his wife Kathy's heart, however, and he reciprocated by winning the hearts of those with whom he worked and those he served with unparalleled grace.

Marchi's transition from St. Louis to Cape proved beneficial to all. He has retired, but leaves a mark we each should aspire to leave -- not just of quality work, but work performed in such a way that makes others feel valued. His co-workers speak well of his mild manner, the antithesis of the demanding personality many associate with managers. On the contrary, his workers wanted to do a good job because they knew it would please him -- and they wanted to please Marchi.

"He simply asks that you do a task or you know what task needs to be done, and you want to complete it in such a manner that it pleases him," said co-manager Jon Townsend. "He's such a wonderful person."

Schnucks CEO Todd Schnuck spoke of Marchi's "contagious enthusiasm" and recalled stories of his going above and beyond "to take care of his customers."

But Marchi passed the praise on to the company. He expressed how hard it is to leave because of "such good employees," "the quality of products and food Schnucks provides" and its "friendliness."

Marchi still possesses a quality many people lose after several years of the daily rigor of business, if they even have it to begin with: the desire to make others happy. "If we can help that customer, that's what we look for. We want that customer to be happy," he said. "A customer comes in and you look at them, and you smile and get the handshake."

At Drury Lodge on Friday, Marchi was honored with a retirement party. Among the festivities, Chairman emeritus Craig Schnuck announced the creation of a new company award honoring store managers, the first one to go to Marchi. Besides his store management, Marchi was recognized by many for his service to the community, having served on more than 45 community boards, with plans to continue his involvement in the future.

We, too, honor Marchi for his dedication, leadership and service with a smile and wish him the best in this new chapter of his life. Cape Girardeau is immensely better for having had him as part of its fabric.