Pat Riordan, co-founder of Watsonville, Calif.-based California Giant Berry Farms, died Nov. 18 at the age of 67.
He died after a brief illness, according to a statement from the company.
Riordan founded California Giant with cousin Bill Moncovich and longtime friends Frank Saveria and Red Bryan, the latter of whom is retired.
Riordan was a co-owner and president of sales. He had been with the company since its early days, when it was known as New West Fruit Co. The company switched to its current name in 1998, reflecting the brand under which it had been selling its berries all along.
Riordan started in the produce industry at a young age, working in sales for Watsonville Berry Co-op and Coastal Berry, according to the statement.
He is survived by his children Alexa and Michael, their mother Janet and sister Marilee Alaga.
A graveside service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 28 at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park in Westlake Village, Calif. A Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 2 at St. Patrick’s Church in Watsonville. A celebration of life is set to follow at the Seascape Beach Resort in Aptos, Calif.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Gregory James Moresco Scholarship Fund at St. Francis High School.
