Former chief executive and chair of the Sobeys Inc. grocery store chain David Sobey has died at age 92.

The parent company of Sobeys, Empire Co. Ltd., says Sobey helped grow the regional player, which was built by his father, into a national food retailing and distribution business.

Empire chief executive Michael Medline called Sobey an incredible retailer, mentor and business leader.

Sobey served as vice-chair and CEO of Sobeys between 1982 and 1986 and as chair and CEO from 1986 to 1995.

He was chair from 1995 until 2001 when he retired, at which point he was appointed chair emeritus of Sobeys.

David Sobey retired from the Empire board of directors in 2015.