John W. McDonald, owner of Best West Trading, dies at 71
John W. McDonald, owner of Best West Trading, dies at 71
John W. McDonald, 71, died Oct. 29 at his home in Salinas, CA. Mr. McDonald was the sole proprietor of Best West Trading in Salinas for the past two decades.
Born in Hot Springs, AR, Mr. McDonald moved during World War II with his family to South San Francisco, CA, where his parents worked in the shipyards. Then the family moved to Salinas, and following graduation from Salinas High School in 1953, Mr. McDonald served in the U.S. Army.
He began his career in produce delivering groceries at age 14 for local markets. While working for Purity Stores with Joe Carcione, "The Green Grocer," he learned all aspects of the produce business. Eventually, he opened his own produce brokerage firm, Best West Trading.
Mr. McDonald was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Spreckels, CA, where he sang in the choir. He was active in the Salinas community, and was involved in the SPCA, Meals on Wheels, the American Heart Association and was a member of Downtown Rotary.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Dodd; his son, Scott McDonald; son and daughter-in-law, Brent and Lorraine McDonald; grandson, Reese McDonald; former wife, Bonnie Grossi Campbell; mother, Ruby McDonald; sister, Helen McDonald; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial mass was celebrated Nov. 3 at St. Joseph's Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. McDonald to the Hartnell College Foundation, 156 Homestead Ave., Salinas, CA 93901, are requested.
Born in Hot Springs, AR, Mr. McDonald moved during World War II with his family to South San Francisco, CA, where his parents worked in the shipyards. Then the family moved to Salinas, and following graduation from Salinas High School in 1953, Mr. McDonald served in the U.S. Army.
He began his career in produce delivering groceries at age 14 for local markets. While working for Purity Stores with Joe Carcione, "The Green Grocer," he learned all aspects of the produce business. Eventually, he opened his own produce brokerage firm, Best West Trading.
Mr. McDonald was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Spreckels, CA, where he sang in the choir. He was active in the Salinas community, and was involved in the SPCA, Meals on Wheels, the American Heart Association and was a member of Downtown Rotary.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Dodd; his son, Scott McDonald; son and daughter-in-law, Brent and Lorraine McDonald; grandson, Reese McDonald; former wife, Bonnie Grossi Campbell; mother, Ruby McDonald; sister, Helen McDonald; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial mass was celebrated Nov. 3 at St. Joseph's Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. McDonald to the Hartnell College Foundation, 156 Homestead Ave., Salinas, CA 93901, are requested.
