The founder of Nationwide Produce, Bernard O’Malley, and his wife, Joan O’Malley, both died in October.
Joan O’Malley died on 11 October after a short time in hospital, and Bernard O’Malley followed on 30 October.
“Neither death was unexpected, although it was tough for us all hearing about my dad on the day of my mum’s funeral,” Tim O’Malley, CEO of Nationwide Produce, said in a statement.
“They were both 88 years old and had been married 65 years,” he added. “In all that time they’d hardly spent a night apart. They’re back together now.”
Nationwide Produce began life in September 1975 as Bernard O’Malley & Co.
Bernard did all the trading and Joan did the books out of a small room in their three-bedroom house in Southport while they had four young children – three of whom are now in the business.
The business turned over £311,122 in its first year and made a small profit.
This year, Nationwide turned over £186m from nine sites in four countries employing 300 staff.
“My dad never stopped talking about the business. First thing he would say whenever I saw him was ‘how’s the job?’,” said Tim O’Malley. “He loved the fruit & veg trade and was enormously proud of the business he created alongside my mum.
“I’ll miss him, I’ll miss his boundless enthusiasm for the business but above all, I’ll miss his advice, his pearls of wisdom.”
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