Importing legend David E. Babiarz passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning in his IL home, aged 61, from complications of diabetes.

Babiarz succeeded his father Emil at the family’s Dae Julie Co., in Des Plaines, IL, and at the height of the company’s success, some industry sources estimated that it was handling up to 15 percent of all U.S. candy imports. He was also the founder of Candyland Candies, Inc., in 1990, and later went on to establish Candy Tech LLC, of Buffalo Grove, IL, which today includes a sister candy manufacturing operation in China.

Candy & Snack TODAY Executive Editor Steve Forster says: “I knew David for more than 20 years and he was never without an opinion, and was always on top of industry events. He was a somewhat polarizing character, known for his devastatingly blunt observations, but always tinged with good humor.”

Away from work, he was a military history buff with a particular interest in aircraft.

Babiarz is survived by his wife Barbara, daughters BJ and Jennifer, and son David Jr.

Visiting hours are 15:00 to 21:00 on Sunday, September 5, at Smith Corcoran Funeral Home, Palatine, IL, and a Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 at Maryville Academy, Des Plaines, IL, on Monday, September 6, followed by a remembrance luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the Standing Tall Charitable Foundation, c/o Rev. John P. Smyth, 1100 N. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016.