Petaluma Poultry Founder Dead at 69

PETALUMA, Calif.--Allen Shainsky, president and founder of Petaluma Poultry, died here Friday, June 23. He was 69. Petaluma was the first company to introduce certified organic chicken to the U.S. market, and also distributed the Rocky Natural chicken.

Shainsky had been hospitalized since early June with a series of medical complications and contracted double pneumonia. A memo from the company called him "an extremely astute businessman, an active community supporter, corporate visionary and personal mentor for many of his long-term employees."

He is survived by his wife, Marcia, and two grown children, Lauri and Mike. Services will be held Tuesday, June 24, at the chapel at Santa Rosa Memorial Park in Santa Rosa, Calif.