In 1912, Italian immigrant Amedeo Obici came from Pennsylvania and opened facilities of the Planters Nut and Chocolate Company in Suffolk.

In 1960, Fleischmann acquired the Planters Nuts and Chocolate Company for $25,000,000.

Two years later, the firm was incorporated as Planters Nut and Chocolate Company.

In 1981, Nabisco merged with Standard Brands, maker of Planters Nuts, Baby Ruth and Butterfinger candy bars, Royal gelatin, Fleischmann's and Blue Bonnet margarines, and many more.

Members of the family who emigrated to America in the late 19th century and settled in Pennsylvania founded the Peruzzi chain of automobile dealerships and the Planters Nut and Chocolate Company.

LEAD: Mr. Peanut has been brought back to represent Planters Nuts in new animated commercials created by Lintas: New York for the Planters Lifesavers Company.

Mr. Obici was a native of Oderzo and the founder of Planters Nut and Chocolate Company in Suffolk.

Cookies, Planters Nuts and LifeSavers candy.

In 1916, Antonio Gentile, a 13-year-old schoolboy from Suffolk, Va., won $5 for his creation in a contest sponsored by the Planters Nut and Chocolate Company; a commercial artist added the hat and monocle, plus a cane.

Obici and Peruzzi founded Planters Peanut Company (unincorporated) in 1906 and incorporated it as Planters Nut and Chocolate Company in 1908.