VANCOUVER, CANADA - It is with a heavy heart that AndNowUKnow learned of the recent passing of Calvin “Cal” Tribiano. A veteran Oppy Sales Executive, Tribiano carved out an impressive career within the produce industry and became a trusted mentor to many.

“Cal loved the produce life and lived it to its fullest,” said John Anderson, Oppy Chairman, CEO, and Managing Partner. “He will be greatly missed for his professionalism, incredible passion for the business, and especially, his investment in the development of others.”

Tribiano was born on December 25, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York. He studied business administration at Wagner College, graduating in 1972 before embarking on his career in produce.

In 1988, Tribiano joined Oppy’s East Coast sales. In the following decades, he helped build the market for Oppy products. He will be remembered as a profoundly talented sales person who understood the intricacies of the fresh produce business like few others do.

According to a release, he preferred to stay behind the scenes and elevate others. His legacy lives on in the members of the sales team to whom he taught his craft. While always mentoring others, Tribiano also thrived on the daily interactions with customers.

“Cal loved his customers and moved mountains to do what was best for them,” said Oppy Sales Manager and Category Director Bill Poulos, who worked alongside Tribiano for more than 30 years. “He set a great example for all of us. That Cal often led the company in annual sales results was really no surprise considering his skill and his hard work, but mostly because he cared so much about the people he was selling to.”

Even on the last day of his life, Tribiano reached out to an Oppy colleague to make sure a customer’s upcoming ad was covered.

While serious about business, his friends and colleagues will remember him for his positive energy and sense of fun.

“Cal had a way of making the day a little better for everyone around him—be that customers on the phone or someone sitting at the desk next to him,” said Brett Libke, Senior Vice President of Sales. “He knew how to lighten the mood with humor or a little mischief, or just in the way he said hello like he was really happy to see you. We relied on him to stir the pot from time to time when there was an opportunity, and he was great at it. He had a really infectious laugh, and it was hard not to laugh with him. Cal was a legend at Oppy. We will miss him terribly and send our heartfelt condolences to his family.”

AndNowUKnow also extends our condolences to Cal Tribiano’s family, colleagues, and friends, as they mourn the loss of this industry spirit.