MEDINA, Ohio — Carl Abell, 88, founder of the Stop-N-Go convenience-store chain, passed away Oct. 27, 2015, in Cleveland.

He grew up on the family dairy farm in Medina, Ohio, and he owned and operated Elm Farm Dairy, which brought pasteurized milk to Medina County and supplied dairy products to five surrounding counties.

Abell started the c-store chain Stop-N-Go Foods of Medina Inc.–now Stop’nGo of Medina Inc.–in 1963.

At one point, he owned 18 stores. His daughter, Becky Shotwell, owns 10 stores in Medina, Wayne and Lorain counties, according to The Medina-Gazette.

A graduate of Ohio State University in Dairy Food Science, Abell played football for Ohio State. In the 1950s, he represented the United States in wrestling in Italy and Turkey and was an alternate to the Olympics in 1952 and 1956. Later, he was instrumental in starting Medina’s high school wrestling program and was named to Medina’s Sports Hall of Fame.

For many years, he participated in marathons and triathlons, competed in long-distance bicycle races and was an avid golfer.

Abell served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. During his service he was in the Military Police, posted in Washington, D.C., as a White House guard, as a relief at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Ceremonial Unit at the National Cemetery.

He was also an avid collector of dairy-related items and milk trucks.

He loved to travel overseas and meet new people and cultures. Abell was a Rotarian for more than 63 years and has received numerous awards and was the District Governor for Northeast Ohio from 1991 to 1992. He traveled to Nigeria as a Rotary representative to dispense Polio vaccine to children.

He was a member of the Medina Chamber of Commerce.

His motto was “life is terrific.”

Abell is survived by his wife Sherry Abell; daughters Connie Busemeyer, Peggy Abell, Becky (Frank, II) Shotwell, Cindy (George Basil) Abell; step-sons Nicholas (Clarissa) Stolph and Steven Stolph; three sisters; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife Ruth Abell (Davies).

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that  contributions may be made to The Henry & Blanche Abell Scholarship Endowment Fund of The Ohio State Endowment Foundation.

CSP sends condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.