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→Turning the company over to his son
After Schwegmann suffered [[stroke]]s in 1977 and 1978, he turned over control of his supermarkets to his son. He resigned from the PSC in October 1980. John F. Schwegmann was, likewise, elected public service commissioner and continued in his father's footsteps. Among the PSC colleagues of the Schwegmanns was the developer [[Edward Kennon]], originally of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish, whose father had also been in the supermarket business.
After Schwegmann suffered [[stroke]]s in 1977 and 1978, he turned over control of his supermarkets to his son. He resigned from the PSC in October 1980. John F. Schwegmann was, likewise, elected public service commissioner and continued in his father's footsteps. Among the PSC colleagues of the Schwegmanns was the developer [[Edward Kennon]], originally of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish, whose father had also been in the supermarket business.
John F. Schwegmann bought the twenty-eight stores of the Louisiana division of the National Tea Company owned by Loblaw of Canada. He added these stores to the eighteen other Schwegmann locations in 1995. However, a year later, after much financial trouble, the Schwegmann chain was sold. Schwegmann's relatives, including his half sister, sued him for damages because of his alleged mismanagement.
John F. Schwegmann bought the twenty-eight stores of the Louisiana division of the National Tea Company owned by Loblaw of Canada. He added these stores to the eighteen other Schwegmann locations in 1995. However, a year later, after much financial trouble, the Schwegmann chain was sold. Schwegmann's relatives, including his half sister, sued him for damages because of his alleged mismanagement.
It was once said that only in New Orleans could one become emotional about a grocery store because people in the Crescent City do take their food very seriously.
It was once said that only in New Orleans could one become emotional about a grocery store because people in the Crescent City do take their food very seriously.
Two members of his family have demonstrated the same interest in government service: Melinda B. Schwegmann, a Democrat, later [[Moderate Republican]], his daughter-in-law, was the first woman in Louisiana to serve as lieutenant governor (1992-1996) in the last Edwards gubernatorial term, and John F. Schwegmann was his father's successor on the state Public Service Commission, having served from 1981 to 1996.
Two members of his family have demonstrated the same interest in government service: Melinda B. Schwegmann, a Democrat, later [[Moderate Republican]], his daughter-in-law, was the first woman in Louisiana to serve as lieutenant governor (1992-1996) in the last Edwards gubernatorial term, and John F. Schwegmann was his father's successor on the state Public Service Commission, having served from 1981 to 1996.
==Schwegmann in retrospect==
The sale of the Schwegmann chain had a big impact on the economy of New Orleans. The company ceased to exist in 1996, a year after John G. Schwegmann's death. John F. Schwegmann claimed no responsibility for the failure of the company. He compared his situation to "no good deed" going "unpunished." His half-sister, Margie Schwegmann Brown, and two hundred retired Schwegmann employees launched separate lawsuits against John F. Schwegmann in the years after the company's demise. Each won multimillion-dollar judgments against him.
The sale of the Schwegmann chain had a big impact on the economy of New Orleans. The company ceased to exist in 1996, a year after John G. Schwegmann's death. John F. Schwegmann claimed no responsibility for the failure of the company. He compared his situation to "no good deed" going "unpunished." His half-sister, Margie Schwegmann Brown, and two hundred retired Schwegmann employees launched separate lawsuits against John F. Schwegmann in the years after the company's demise. Each won multimillion-dollar judgments against him.
Schwegmann was prone to boast of his success: "I'm a multimillionaire. I make more money accidentally than most people do on purpose."<ref>Leo Honeycutt, ''Edwin Edwards: Governor of Louisiana,'' Lisburn Press, 2009, p. 72.</ref>
Schwegmann was prone to boast of his success: "I'm a multimillionaire. I make more money accidentally than most people do on purpose."<ref>Leo Honeycutt, ''Edwin Edwards: Governor of Louisiana,'' Lisburn Press, 2009, p. 72.</ref>
Prior to his death, John G. Schwegmann had been in poor health for several years after a second series of strokes. He died in Touro Infirmary, as had his second wife. Survivors included the two sons from his first wife, John F. Schwegmann and Guy G. Schwegmann; a daughter from his second marriage, Margie Schwegmann-Brown; a brother, Anthony Schwegmann; a sister, Marguerite Barrios; and four grandchildren, John Guy Schwegmann, Heidi Schwegmann, Laurie Schwegmann, and Jack Brown.
Prior to his death, John G. Schwegmann had been in poor health for several years after a second series of strokes. He died in Touro Infirmary, as had his second wife. Survivors included the two sons from his first wife, John F. Schwegmann and Guy G. Schwegmann; a daughter from his second marriage, Margie Schwegmann-Brown; a brother, Anthony Schwegmann; a sister, Marguerite Barrios; and four grandchildren, John Guy Schwegmann, Heidi Schwegmann, Laurie Schwegmann, and Jack Brown.
A mass was said at noon, March 8, 1995, at Holy Trinity [[Roman Catholic]] Church]] at 721 St. Ferdinand St. The historic church has since closed because of declining attendance and termite infestation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neworleanschurches.com/holytrinity/holytrin.htm|title=Holy Trinity Catholic Church|publisher=neworleanschurches.com|accessdate=April 8, 2014}}</ref>
A mass was said at noon, March 8, 1995, at Holy Trinity [[Roman Catholic]] Church]] at 721 St. Ferdinand St. The historic church has since closed because of declining attendance and termite infestation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neworleanschurches.com/holytrinity/holytrin.htm|title=Holy Trinity Catholic Church|publisher=neworleanschurches.com|accessdate=April 8, 2014}}</ref>