MINNETONKA, Minn. -- Looking through video and pictures, the Applebaum children are remembering their father, Sidney, or as many called him, "Sid," who passed away at the age of 92 on Saturday. They say their family is close and Sid made sure it always stayed that way.
"He would speak to me my two sisters Ellen and Nancy and my mother every single day probably before 7 a.m. because he was an early riser," said Jay Applebaum, son of Sid Applebaum.
Until his passing, Sid owned and operated his six liquor stores: Big Top Liquors and Sid's Discount Liquors.
However, Sid might be most known for his grocery business, the Applebaum's Food Markets and then the well-known Rainbow Foods.
Work and people, his children say, were his passion.
"He loved being with people no matter who the person was. The electricians, the carpenters, people building displays in the store or a top executive to him, everyone was the most important person," said Jay Applebaum.
His children say he lived a very rich life with a passion for work, golf, and above all, family.
"So we're here in the lower level of my parents' home and we are surrounded by photos and memories commemorating happy times," said Sid's daughter Nancy Rosenberg.
"Family was so important to him, family has become very important to us and we feel blessed and grateful that all the cousins are close," said Sid's other daughter, Ellen Saffron.
Sid, one of nine children and the son of Russian immigrants, was very involved in the community, and was recognized in 2014 as Market Watch Leader for the success of Big Top Liquors and honored by United Hospital with the Service to Humanity Award in 1994.
Sid leaves behind his wife Lorraine, their three children, 13 grand-children and five great-grandchildren.