A trusted dear friend, loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, and a dedicated passionate employee are 15 words that hardly scratch the surface to describe John McAleavey. Each word resonates with John and helps describe his character and his demeanor, but to know John was perhaps the ultimate pleasure and honor of all.

I first met John over 21 years ago when I attended a United Fresh convention in New Orleans. It was before I joined the NYAA and I was there representing Sun Orchards in Burt, NY. I visited the NYAA booth on the opening day only to find John and NYAA staff on their hands and knees picking up bushels of New York apples that had fallen from the display. Actually to be exact, the false bottoms of the bin displays gave way, spewing apples across the green carpet. John was feverishly restacking apples before the show opened. As we were introduced, he smirked at me and whispered, “I knew the apples were stacked too high.” I didn’t know much about John at that point, except I had the feeling he was a straight shooter and told it the way it was. I never lost that feeling in 21 years.

John worked in the grocery and produce business for many years, before coming to the NYAA. He started with A&P, followed by Seneca Foods, and then the New York New England Apple Institute. When the Eastern and Western New York Associations merged in 1994, the first hire was John, 21 years ago. I think just about every Eastern New York apple shipper let it be known that the new NYAA better hire John before someone else grabbed him. After all, the Washington Apple Committee, the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association, the Pistachio Board, California Summer Fruits, San Miguel Produce and a number of other produce giants were all hunting him down. John chose apples, not Washington but New York. At about the same time John also took over the leadership of the Eastern Produce Council as executive director. He also represented some other non-competing groups, but his priority and passion was and always has been New York apples. We, the New York apple industry and the EPC were the beneficiary of that passion and his dedication and his hard work for so many years.

When I joined the NYAA in 1996, John was my mentor in the retail produce merchandising world. Although the managerial flow chart said that John reported to me, in reality, I would go to John first, to help formulate promotional plans and programs. I can say that if I didn’t get his blessing, chances are it never left the planning desk. He knew from experience and he knew from working with retailers for so many years, what would work and what could flop. As a team, we made it happen.

If I were to debate any EPC member over where did John’s loyalty lie, with the EPC or NYAA, we would both claim the victory, but we would acknowledge that we both won. Fact is, because of John the two groups are joined at the hip.

But here’s the truth, and no one would argue this. John’s loyalty, John’s passion, John’s devotion and all of John’s purpose was directed to his family, with every breath he took. Through the years of hard work, his time with his family took preference. From Susie’s soccer, John’s baseball, from Little League and high school through the college years, John and Joann were always there. He was a Red Sox fan, BC supporter and a Friar all the way. Most of all he supported his wife and his children. Never was that more obvious than during some very hard times for John Jr. and the family. John had a hero, not Ted Williams and definitely not Roger Clemens (in pinstripes) but John’s hero was his son, John Jr. He often told me that, and would always say that his son was his inspiration for optimism and hope. The McAleavey family for many of us is the gold standard of the meaning of a family.

I learned so much from John. He would berate me when I did not hold open the door for my wife, of which I am still often reminded of, and he would “old school” me that you should always look your best. He quoted his grandmother, who would say, “If you got flaunt it!” When John worked for A&P and Seneca Foods, it was suit and tie for each sales call. That tradition lasted for John forever.

Words cannot begin to express the sadness and the grief of losing such a dear friend of many years. We have all endured losses and we have all grieved for family, friends and even strangers that we somehow find a connection with. We find comfort in memories, and if it were not for the past, then our grief would not have meaning. John will remain in our memories and we accept the grief, because of our love and our admiration for a great person, John McAleavy.

(Jim Allen is president of the New York Apple Association)