Emil Nemarnik, Co-Founder of Pacific Coast Fruit and industry patriarch, has passed away.

A Croatian immigrant, Emil was the only one of 12 children to be given the opportunity to begin a new life in the United States. After immigrating at the age of 10, he quickly displayed the traits that allowed him to rise through the ranks of the produce industry.

Emil worked in a grocery store to pay his way through college. There, he met his future wife, Kathleen Spada, and began his career in the produce industry. After graduation, he went on to broker, sell, and buy produce until 1976 when the company he worked for was sold and he was laid off. At the age of 50, he faced the daunting prospect of supporting five children without a job. Drawing on a career of experience in the industry, he took a risk and pulled together the money to found Pacific Coast Fruit. The company opened its doors in 1977 and grew from the smallest produce distributor in Portland to one of the largest independently owned produce distributors servicing the Pacific Northwest.

Emil was often quoted as saying “take good care of your employees, customers, shippers and farmers and they will make you successful.” I am sure those who loved him will reflect often on these words as they go through these difficult times.

AndNowUKnow would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to Emil's friends and family.