Obituaries

Former Dearborn Resident, Hungry Howie's Pizza Founder Dies

Jim Hearn of Palm Harbor, Florida, died unexpectedly on March 19.

Jim Hearn, 71, a former resident of Dearborn, died from a sudden illness on March 19.

Hearn was the founder of Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs.

“It was a complete shock”, said Barry Devine, director of marketing for Hungry Howie’s. “He had just beaten cancer with his usual unassuming manner and great sense of humor. This illness came out of no where.”

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Hungry Howie’s is the nation’s 11th largest pizza company. Hungry Howie’s grew from the small hamburger joint that Hearn purchased in 1973 in Taylor, to more than 550 locations nationwide with two food distribution centers in Florida and Michigan.

Long time friend and franchisee in Seminole, Fla. Kevin Green said of Hearn, “The one thing Jim insisted upon all of his franchisees was that we work, and work hard in our units. Making pizzas and exceeding customer expectations is not done behind a desk and Jim always reminded us of that by example.”

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Another original franchisee in Lakeland, Fla. Terry Morrow remembered, “He would just show up. It could be 10:30 p.m. on a Tuesday night and he would come in and begin to help and talk. If he stayed till close he’d help mop my floors.”

When announcing his death to the Hungry Howie’s franchise and corporate associates the company stated, “Jim was an acquaintance to some, a friend to most and family to many. A great number of us owe what we are today to his kindness and wisdom.”

Hearn was raised in Dearborn and started Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs in Taylor in 1973. Nine years and about a dozen units later he fulfilled his lifelong dream and moved to Clearwater. With him he brought his personal formula for success. In 1986, Hearn and others began their own food distribution company with warehouses in Michigan and Florida to serve the growing franchise network. It was right about this time that Hearn created the Hungry Howie’s niche that would separate it from all the others, free flavored pizza crust.

“He was the most interesting man I have ever known” said Devine. “Some of our most interesting and productive meetings occurred in his van while he was delivering pizzas. It is good to know that he taught his two daughters, Jennifer and Julie those same unassuming qualities and work ethic as they begin to fill their father’s large but humble shoes.”

The funeral service for Hearn took place on March 23 at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church in Safety Harbor, Fla.

Editor's note: This press release was submitted by Hungry Howie's Pizza & Subs.


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