California Giant Berry Farms Mourns The Loss Of Co-Founder Patrick Riordan

It is with great sadness California Giant Berry Farms announced that Patrick Riordan passed away November 18 after a brief and unexpected illness. Riordan was the cousin and a co-founder of the company with Bill Moncovich, and longtime friend Frank Saveria. 

Pat Riordan began his career in the produce industry at a young age working in sales for the Watsonville Berry Co-op and Coastal Berry.  He ultimately joined Bill Moncovich at what began as New West Fruit, a small strawberry sales company in Watsonville, CA.  Pat and Bill have spent over 40 years working side-by-side with Pat focused on sales and Bill working with farming operations.  Together they built the company on personal long term relationships in the industry resulting in the tremendous success of California Giant Berry Farms today, an international grower/shipper packer of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.  

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 them and how proud he was of their success and the love they have for each other.

Pat was 67 years old and is survived by his two children Alexa, 21 and Michael, 19 who both attend USC, and his sister Marilee Alaga who resides in Watsonville, CA.  Services will be announced soon by the family.

Source: California Giant Berry Farms