Highline Mushrooms founder Murray Roy O'Neil dies
Highline Mushrooms founder Murray Roy O'Neil dies
Highline Mushrooms founder and co-owner Murray Roy O'Neil, 80, died June 30 when the plane he was piloting crashed into a soybean field near Colchester, ON.
Dr. O'Neal, a retired allergist, founded Highline Mushrooms in Leamington, ON, in 1961. Through his knowledge of science and relentless passion for continual improvement, he pioneered many of the technological advances in the North American mushroom industry.
At age 80, alongside company President Glenn Martin, he remained very much involved in the day-to-day operations of Highline. He was instrumental in implementing advanced cropping techniques at the company, resulting in growing mushrooms without the use of pesticides. When Highline received organic certification in 2006, Dr. O'Neil said, "We think growing organic mushrooms is one of Highline's finest achievements."
Under Dr. O'Neil's guidance, Highline was an early leader in introducing vacuum cooling, refrigerated distribution, and pre-packaged and triple- washed mushrooms into the North American market.
Over the past 45 years, Dr. O'Neil emerged as a knowledgeable and respected member of the global mushroom industry. He held positions as president, board member and life member of the Canadian Mushroom Growers Association, co-chairman of the first North American Mushroom Conference, Canadian member of the U.S. Mushroom Council, and was invited to speak at several industry meetings and events around the world.
At Highline, his latest achievement is a $10 million expansion, which began in June of this year and is expected to double Highline's Leamington West Farm production.
In a recent interview, Dr. O'Neil said, "The company's future leaders will adhere to the current values and principles. When I'm no longer here, the company will continue to focus on the core values it has believed in since the beginning, including hard work and doing the job carefully."
Dr. O'Neal is survived by his daughter Debra Gallaugher and son-in-law John Gallaugher; son David O'Neil; daughter Elizabeth O'Neil; grandchildren Brandon Gallaugher and Regan, Lisa, Samantha and Mallory O'Neil; mother- in-law Dorothy Fitch; brother, Ejay O'Neil; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his wife Judith (Fitch) O'Neil, his son, Andrew O'Neil, and his sister, Marjorie (O'Neil) Wright.
Dr. O'Neal, a retired allergist, founded Highline Mushrooms in Leamington, ON, in 1961. Through his knowledge of science and relentless passion for continual improvement, he pioneered many of the technological advances in the North American mushroom industry.
At age 80, alongside company President Glenn Martin, he remained very much involved in the day-to-day operations of Highline. He was instrumental in implementing advanced cropping techniques at the company, resulting in growing mushrooms without the use of pesticides. When Highline received organic certification in 2006, Dr. O'Neil said, "We think growing organic mushrooms is one of Highline's finest achievements."
Under Dr. O'Neil's guidance, Highline was an early leader in introducing vacuum cooling, refrigerated distribution, and pre-packaged and triple- washed mushrooms into the North American market.
Over the past 45 years, Dr. O'Neil emerged as a knowledgeable and respected member of the global mushroom industry. He held positions as president, board member and life member of the Canadian Mushroom Growers Association, co-chairman of the first North American Mushroom Conference, Canadian member of the U.S. Mushroom Council, and was invited to speak at several industry meetings and events around the world.
At Highline, his latest achievement is a $10 million expansion, which began in June of this year and is expected to double Highline's Leamington West Farm production.
In a recent interview, Dr. O'Neil said, "The company's future leaders will adhere to the current values and principles. When I'm no longer here, the company will continue to focus on the core values it has believed in since the beginning, including hard work and doing the job carefully."
Dr. O'Neal is survived by his daughter Debra Gallaugher and son-in-law John Gallaugher; son David O'Neil; daughter Elizabeth O'Neil; grandchildren Brandon Gallaugher and Regan, Lisa, Samantha and Mallory O'Neil; mother- in-law Dorothy Fitch; brother, Ejay O'Neil; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his wife Judith (Fitch) O'Neil, his son, Andrew O'Neil, and his sister, Marjorie (O'Neil) Wright.
