One need not go far in the produce industry to find professionals who have lived their lives becoming successful in business, and also dedicating themselves to philanthropy, humanities and generosity.

Such describes the life of Nathan J. Esformes, who died Oct. 5 at age 83.Nathan J. Esformes

Along with his brother, Joseph, and the Heller family, Esformes founded Pacific Tomato Growers in Palmetto, FL. The partnership extended for nearly 60 years, during which they were an inspiration in the development and growth of the Florida tomato industry.

Jon Esformes, Joseph’s son and Nathan’s nephew, who now serves as co-chief executive officer and operating partner of Pacific Tomato Growers and Sunripe certified brands, told The Produce News that his Uncle “Natey” had a great passion for the produce industry.

“The family has nearly 100 years in the produce industry, and my uncle grew up in it,” said Esformes. “He was looked upon as a great and compassionate friend by his family, employees, partners and even competitors. He was also firm, and anyone looking to pick a fight was in a lot of trouble.”

But generosity was one of Mr. Esformes’ hallmarks, according to Jon Esformes, who said, for example, he enjoyed bringing boxes of tomatoes back to his neighborhood in Miami to share with everyone.

He was also dedicated to causes, especially juvenile diabetes, which his daughter, Elizabeth, was diagnosed with as a child.

“When she was diagnosed in the late 1960s, my uncle learned that diabetes research was strongly focused on adult onset, and very little was being done with juvenile diabetes,” Jon Esformes said. “He reached out to the community in Miami and found like-minded people who agreed that more needed to be done.”

Nathan Esformes met Dr. Daniel Mintz of the Diabetes Research Institute and they, along with a small group of people, founded the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Hospital. Over the course of its 40 years the institute has been accredited with the most significant research on juvenile diabetes.

The family continues to support the research today. Elizabeth Esformes, who oversees human resources for Pacific Tomato, is now an adult with her diabetes under control.

Reggie Brown, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee in Maitland, said that Nathan Esformes was one of the old-line heroes of the Florida tomato industry. He first met Mr. Esformes in the mid-1980s.

“Nate was a solid, quiet individual who was responsible and always willing to listen,” said Brown. “His family is strongly involved with the business today, and it continues to be privately owned and family-operated.”

Mr. Esformes, Brown added, helped to introduce the Roma tomato to the industry.

“The company now produces in numerous areas of the country and in Mexico,” said Brown. “It is recognized as a major year-round supplier of tomatoes.”

In addition to his daughter, Elizabeth, Mr. Esformes is survived by his wife Annie; siblings Joseph and Flora; daughter Tracy; son Jack; and eight grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and their children.

“Among Uncle Natey’s greatest joys were the relationships that are developed in the produce industry,” said Jon Esformes. “Although companies lament about their competitors, at the end of the day we all support each other. He was proud of how strongly the produce industry demonstrated this characteristic.”