Longtime Executive Director of the Eastern Produce Council and industry veteran John McAleavey, passed away on Friday June 5th at his home surrounded by his loving and devoted family.

“John's passing takes from us a man who was instrumental in building the EPC into one of the highest respected Produce Food Councils in the nation. John's tireless work ethic, professionalism, sacrifice, spirit, and love of the EPC will leave a never-ending legacy which we have now been charged to maintain and bring to the next level,” Vic Savanello, President of the Eastern Produce Council, said in a note on the council’s website. “I, and the entire Board of Directors lost a comrade and a friend; we will miss him dearly, but always be affected by him and better people for knowing him! He was absolutely one of a kind and truly loved by all of us!”

John was born and raised in Newark, N.J., where he graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School. Before earning his degree from Rutgers University, he served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Leyte. During his career in the produce industry, John worked in sales, marketing, merchandising, and consulting for the California Pistachio Commission, Chilean Fresh Fruit Association, and the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, according to the Star Ledger. John also represented the New York Apple Association as well as the T. Marzetti Co.

Jim Allen, President of New York Apple Association shared a few words with us about his dear friend and colleague, “John went way beyond the scope of a colleague or an employee. John was a close friend and confidant that I learned so much from. He was a life professor that taught class, dignity and undisputable moral character. I was honored to know him and to benefit from him for over 21 years. I, and we, will  miss him terribly.”

The industry veteran passionately served as the Executive Director of the Eastern Produce Council for the past 25 years, and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2008. John is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Joann; children, Susan Sarlund and her husband, Chas; son, John McAleavey; grandchildren, Meghan and Charlie Sarlund; brother, Tom and his wife, Mike, of Florida; and cousin, Nancy Roberts and her husband, Mike, of Connecticut.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The John McAleavey Jr. Fund, P.O. Box 514, Short Hills, N.J. 07078, to help continue a 20-year tradition of providing services for individuals and families affected by spinal cord injuries.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 11, 2015, at 10 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, Short Hills. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Westfield, N.J. There will be a visitation on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Bradley, Smith & Smith Funeral Home, 415 Morris Ave., Springfield, N.J.

AndNowUKnow would like to offer our sincere condolences to all affected by this loss.

Eastern Produce Council