Dominic F. (Doc) Danna dies at age 97
Dominic F. (Doc) Danna dies at age 97
Longtime California fruit grower and shipper Dominic F. (Doc) Danna of D.F. Danna & Co. Inc. in San Jose, CA, died May 1 after a six-month illness. He was 97.
Born the second of six sons, Mr. Danna spent his entire life working with his brothers growing fruit, vegetables and nuts in Santa Clara, Sutter and Yuba counties in California under the company names of Danna & Danna Inc. and D.F. Danna & Co.
Mr. Danna and his brothers were innovators in bringing new growing, harvesting and packing techniques to the melon, prune and walnut industries. Their produce was recognized for its exceptionally high quality throughout the United States, Canada and the Far East, and has been marketed under the well-known "42nd Street" label since 1934.
Mr. Danna stepped down as president and chairman of Danna & Danna Inc. in 2003, but remained active in the business until 2006.
He served in leadership roles with many agricultural organizations. He was a member of Western Growers Association for 64 years, serving as a director for 20 years and as chairman of the board in 1983. He received the organization's prestigious Award of Honor in 2005.
Mr. Danna also served on the California Prune Advisory Board, the Prune Administrative Committee, the Santa Clara County Water District Agricultural Advisory Board, and on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Claims Committee under the PACA.
Mr. Danna and his brothers began farming in the first half of the 20th century in and around rural San Jose, where they had substantial land holdings. Over the years, however, they continually swapped small lots in an increasingly urban San Jose for acres of land in Yuba County, which is located a couple of hundred miles to the northeast.
He is survived by his daughter, Dee Danna of San Jose; his grandsons, Dominic J. Danna, Stephen F. Danna Jr. and his wife, Kelly, and Joseph M. Danna and his wife Shannon; his granddaughter, Gina Danna; great- grandchildren Lauren and Sam Danna; and one brother, Angelo R. Danna Sr. His wife of 63 years, Rose Spano Danna, predeceased him (2003), as did their only son, Stephen F. Danna Sr. (2000), and his brothers Leonard, Anthony, Peter and Frank.
Born the second of six sons, Mr. Danna spent his entire life working with his brothers growing fruit, vegetables and nuts in Santa Clara, Sutter and Yuba counties in California under the company names of Danna & Danna Inc. and D.F. Danna & Co.
Mr. Danna and his brothers were innovators in bringing new growing, harvesting and packing techniques to the melon, prune and walnut industries. Their produce was recognized for its exceptionally high quality throughout the United States, Canada and the Far East, and has been marketed under the well-known "42nd Street" label since 1934.
Mr. Danna stepped down as president and chairman of Danna & Danna Inc. in 2003, but remained active in the business until 2006.
He served in leadership roles with many agricultural organizations. He was a member of Western Growers Association for 64 years, serving as a director for 20 years and as chairman of the board in 1983. He received the organization's prestigious Award of Honor in 2005.
Mr. Danna also served on the California Prune Advisory Board, the Prune Administrative Committee, the Santa Clara County Water District Agricultural Advisory Board, and on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Claims Committee under the PACA.
Mr. Danna and his brothers began farming in the first half of the 20th century in and around rural San Jose, where they had substantial land holdings. Over the years, however, they continually swapped small lots in an increasingly urban San Jose for acres of land in Yuba County, which is located a couple of hundred miles to the northeast.
He is survived by his daughter, Dee Danna of San Jose; his grandsons, Dominic J. Danna, Stephen F. Danna Jr. and his wife, Kelly, and Joseph M. Danna and his wife Shannon; his granddaughter, Gina Danna; great- grandchildren Lauren and Sam Danna; and one brother, Angelo R. Danna Sr. His wife of 63 years, Rose Spano Danna, predeceased him (2003), as did their only son, Stephen F. Danna Sr. (2000), and his brothers Leonard, Anthony, Peter and Frank.
