UPDATE: This release has been revised as of 8:15 a.m., Nov. 23, to include information on services for Patrick Riordan.

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - Patrick Riordan, industry veteran and cousin of California Giant Berry Farms’ Co-Founder Bill Moncovich, passed away last Friday, November 18. He was 67 years old.

Pat was also a longtime friend of company Partner Frank Saveria, all three of whom began the business selling strawberries, and retired Red Bryan.

“It is with great sadness California Giant Berry Farms announced that Patrick Riordan passed away November 18 after a brief and unexpected illness,” the company released after the loss.

Pat Riordan began his career in the produce industry at a young age, working in sales for the Monc's Consolidated Produce, Watsonville-based Berry Co-op, and Coastal Berry, before ultimately joining Bill Moncovich at what began as a small, Watsonville-based strawberry sales company called New West Fruit.

The cousins have spent over 40 years working side-by-side, Pat focused on sales and Bill working with farming operations as they built the company on personal long term relationships in the industry.

Now an international grower/shipper packer of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, the result has been the tremendous success that California Giant Berry Farms is today.

According to the company, Pat never walked into a room quietly and made at least one new friend every day. He always succeeded in making people laugh with his stories about his many life adventures, but there was nothing he was more proud of than his two children.

Pat loved talking about how proud he was of their success and the love they have for each other.

Pat is survived by his two children Alexa Alice, 21, and Michael John, 19, who both attend USC, their mother, Janet, and his sister, Marilee Alaga, who resides in Watsonville, CA, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in passing by parents John Michael and Mary Jane Riordan.

A mass will be held in Watsonville, CA, at St Patrick’s Church on Friday, December 2, at 10 a.m., followed by a celebration of Life at the Seascape Resort, Aptos, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Gregory James Moresco Scholarship Fund at St. Francis Central Coast High School.

All of us from AndNowUKnow would like to offer our deepest condolences to Pat’s family, friends, and all those he touched who are affected by this loss.