Salvatore De Franco, partner in D. De Franco & Sons, dies at 81
Salvatore De Franco, partner in D. De Franco & Sons, dies at 81
Salvatore (Sam) De Franco, who was a partner with his brothers for many years in the produce company his father founded, died of heart failure April 2 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 81.
Mr. De Franco was born May 24, 1924 in San Francisco. In 1929, his family moved to Boston, where his father, Dominic De Franco, founded the New England Tomato Co. A few years later, the family returned to California and settled in Lodi, where they began shipping table grapes to the Eastern Seaboard.
In 1941, Dominic De Franco moved his family to Los Angeles where they leased a bay at the Los Angeles Produce Terminal Market and resumed business as produce merchants under the name New England Tomato Co.
After high school graduation, Salvatore De Franco entered the family business full time, assisting his father in buying and selling tomatoes. In 1952, they built a new structure adjacent to the terminal market and began packing tube tomatoes for retail markets. About 1976, the company was renamed D. De Franco & Sons.
For about 50 years in all, Mr. De Franco worked alongside his two brothers, Victor and John, developing the business and introducing innovative concepts in produce packaging.
About 1996, Mr. De Franco and his brothers retired, turning the management of the daily operations of the business over to Mr. De Franco's three sons, Paul, Richard and Jerry.
Although retired, Mr. De Franco remained active in the business in an advisory capacity right until his death. Throughout his adult years, Mr. De Franco enjoyed family life, recreation and gardening. He especially enjoyed entertaining friends and neighbors at his home.
Mr. Salvatore is survived by his wife of 51 years, Anna, a daughter, his three sons, and six grandchildren. His sons Paul, Richard and Jerry continue to run the family business.
Mr. De Franco was born May 24, 1924 in San Francisco. In 1929, his family moved to Boston, where his father, Dominic De Franco, founded the New England Tomato Co. A few years later, the family returned to California and settled in Lodi, where they began shipping table grapes to the Eastern Seaboard.
In 1941, Dominic De Franco moved his family to Los Angeles where they leased a bay at the Los Angeles Produce Terminal Market and resumed business as produce merchants under the name New England Tomato Co.
After high school graduation, Salvatore De Franco entered the family business full time, assisting his father in buying and selling tomatoes. In 1952, they built a new structure adjacent to the terminal market and began packing tube tomatoes for retail markets. About 1976, the company was renamed D. De Franco & Sons.
For about 50 years in all, Mr. De Franco worked alongside his two brothers, Victor and John, developing the business and introducing innovative concepts in produce packaging.
About 1996, Mr. De Franco and his brothers retired, turning the management of the daily operations of the business over to Mr. De Franco's three sons, Paul, Richard and Jerry.
Although retired, Mr. De Franco remained active in the business in an advisory capacity right until his death. Throughout his adult years, Mr. De Franco enjoyed family life, recreation and gardening. He especially enjoyed entertaining friends and neighbors at his home.
Mr. Salvatore is survived by his wife of 51 years, Anna, a daughter, his three sons, and six grandchildren. His sons Paul, Richard and Jerry continue to run the family business.
