Raymond Jenkins, Bucks businessman

Raymond A. Jenkins II, 68, of Bristol, a Bucks County businessman, died Saturday, March 29, of a heart attack at the home of a friend in Philadelphia.

With his sister, Darlette, Mr. Jenkins owned and operated Toad-Ally Snax Inc., a small company that makes chocolate-covered pretzels.

Mr. Jenkins himself performed most facets of the business. He would go to the factory in Bristol, climb on a broken machine, find the problem, and fix it, said his longtime friend, Dawn Dugan.

Then he would put on a business suit and fly around the country, negotiating with executives at Walmart, K-Mart, Sam's Club, BJ's, and supermarket chains about carrying the company's products.

He worked for more than three decades before retiring last year, leaving his sister at the helm.

Mr. Jenkins was very fair-minded. "If you were the head of a Fortune 500 company, or the person selling him his lottery tickets," he would treat you with the same respect, Dugan said.

Mr. Jenkins's interests were varied; he skied, flew a plane, played handball, and read avidly.

Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell was a friend. "Ray was a bright and creative guy - one of the funniest people I have ever met. As successful as he was in business, Ray always looked out for the little guy, the ordinary people and their welfare," Rendell said.

Born in Wilkinsburg, Pa., Mr. Jenkins lived in Bristol, Levittown, and Old City in Philadelphia. He was a 1964 graduate of Neshaminy High School, served in the Air Force, and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1968. He was a lineman for the Neshaminy and the University of Pittsburgh football teams.

In addition to his sister, he is survived by several friends whom he considered family.

Services are private.