EPC's John McAleavey was 80 years old
EPC's John McAleavey was 80 years old
John McAleavey, longtime executive director of the Eastern Produce Council, died Friday afternoon, June 5, at his home in Short Hills, NJ, of complications from pneumonia. He was 80 years old.
John Joseph McAleavey was born Nov. 5, 1934, in Newark, NJ, where he was raised. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1958, and graduated from Rutgers University with a business degree.
His first job came in 1962 as a buyer with the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.
John McAleavey, but his career in the produce industry included sales, marketing, merchandising and consulting, according to his wife, Joann.
Within the produce field during his long and distinguished career, he represented the California Pistachio Commission, the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association and the New York state Department of Agriculture & Markets. Most recently, he represented the New York Apple Association and T. Marzetti Co. He also served on the board of trustees of the New Jersey Agricultural Society, the oldest agricultural organization of its type in the United States.
But Mr. McAleavey was probably best known as executive director of the Eastern Produce Council, and for so many people in the produce industry, Mr. McAleavey was the face of the council.
He was inducted into the EPC Hall of Fame in 2008, and at the council's most recent dinner dance, held April 11, the council surprised Mr. McAleavey with a special award to commemorate his 25 years of service to the Eastern Produce Council.
"John McAleavey's passing takes from us a man who was instrumental in building the EPC into one of the premier produce food councils in the nation," EPC President Vic Savanello, director of produce and floral at Allegiance Retail Services, told The Produce News. "John's tireless work effort, sacrifice, professionalism and spirit have inspired us all and live on in his family, who will always be part of the EPC. I and the entire board of directors lost a comrade and a friend, and we will miss him dearly. He was truly one of a kind."
Mr. McAleavey married Joann on Nov. 9, 1963. She survives him, along with their daughter, Susan Sarlund, and her husband, Chas Sarlund; their son, John McAleavey Jr.; a granddaughter, Meghan, and a grandson, Charlie; and a brother, Tom McAleavey.
A wake will be held Wednesday, June 10, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Bradley Smith & Smith Funeral Home in Springfield, NJ. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 11, at St. Rose of Lima Church in Short Hills, NJ.
