Nogales legend George Gotsis dies at 89
Nogales legend George Gotsis dies at 89
RIO RICO, AZ — George Gotsis, a well-known veteran of the Nogales produce industry, died Oct. 31 at the age of 89. Mr. Gotsis remained active in his firm, Omega Produce Co. Inc., until recently despite battling cancer for several years.
Mr. Gotsis was buried Nov. 7 with military honors at the Nogales City Cemetery. In an interview with The Produce News this spring, Mr. Gotsis humbly acknowledged that he participated in a few of the historic battles of the South Pacific Theater of World War II. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1944.
Mr. Gotsis made it very clear that it was his sister, Emilia Gotsis, who started Omega in 1950. He credited her for launching the foundation of his success. He joined Omega in 1951 and was president of the firm for many years, including at the time of his death.
Mr. Gotsis was held in such high industry regard that he was among the first two recipients of a Pillars of the FPAA award. At closing dinner of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas convention Nov. 6 in Tubac, AZ, Matt Mandel, FPAA chairman, offered a moment of silence for Mr. Gotsis. While announcing Carlos Bennen of Ta-De Distributing Co. in Nogales, as the latest Pillars of the FPAA inductee, Mandel noted that, in 2010, Mr. Gotsis was in FPAA’s initial class of Pillars inductees. Joining Mr. Gotsis in the initial Pillars of the FPAA class was Roy Lundstrom.
“We will really miss you George, and we know that you are here with us tonight in spirit,” Mandel said.
Mr. Gotsis is survived by his wife of 64 years, Celida Rico. He is also survived by his children Celida Gotsis Fujiwara, George Gotsis, Marcos Gotsis, Nick Gotsis and Robert Gotsis. He was preceded in death by his son, Jimmy. His sons and his son-in-law, Toru Fujiwara, work at Omega Produce.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations can be made to Santa Cruz Training Programs Inc. P.O. Box 638 Nogales, AZ 85621.
