In Memoriam: Top O’ The Table’s Tom Greenwald

Tom Greenwald, of Top O’ The Table/Zink Foodservice Group, in Columbus, Ohio, died unexpectedly on Nov. 8, while cheering on his favorite football team, Notre Dame. He was 68.

The Cleveland native and U.S. Navy veteran got his start in the foodservice supply industry in 1971 with E.A. Hinrichs & Co., as a dealer sales rep selling tabletop installations. That same year, Stan Rose started a manufacturer’s rep agency called Top O’ The Table Inc. In January 1978, Greenwald joined Top O’ The Table as an outside sales rep, covering Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. In 1985, Greenwald and his partner, John Pusey, bought Top O’ The Table from Rose.

Greenwald served as the president and became the sole owner when Pusey retired. In 2008, Zink Marketing purchased Top O’ The Table, thereby forming the Zink Foodservice Group. At that time, he started a consulting company, TMG Enterprises, and worked with several companies in the industry providing consultation services. Recently, he had been tasked to start up a distribution network for Aquasana Water Filtration Systems. Zink Foodservice Group, The Redstone Group, KLH Marketing, Kain-McArthur, Hatch Jennings, and High Sabatino Associates were his distributors.

He is survived by his wife, Nanette, of 18 years; son, Anthony Palumbo; and daughter, Melissa Greenwald, who works for Top O’ The Table in central Ohio and serves on the MAFSI board.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at Firerock Country Club, 16000 E. Firerock Country Club Dr. Fountain Hills, Ariz. and Nov. 18 from 4-6 p.m. and two weeks later at The Lakes Golf & Country Club, 6740 Worthington Rd., Westerville, Ohio, on December 2, from 4-8 p.m. Donations can be made in his honor to Samaritan’s Purse.