LOS ANGELES – It is with great sadness that the Giumarra Companies announces the passing of Mr. Taro “Tommy” Uchizono. Uchizono passed away on Tuesday, March 22 in Los Angeles at the age of 89. He was born on March 22, 1922 and was a very well-known and respected figure within the North American produce industry.
Uchizono was a veteran of World War II, during which he was a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team fighting in Italy. After the war, he returned to Los Angeles and joined the produce industry. He was a founder of Bear Produce and Metro Produce, and also worked with Child Brothers.
At the beginning of his produce career, he was largely involved in the vegetable industry. However, in the early 1960’s, he met with Don Jost and together they approached Don Corsaro of Giumarra Brothers Fruit Company to market stone fruit out of the San Joaquin Valley. Don Corsaro, Uchizono and Don Jost founded and developed the well-known LTD stone fruit label. They were one of the first in the industry to market truly tree-ripened fruit.
“We were driving along the valley one day and were discussing what we were going to call the fruit. We had a contest. I came up with LTD and it stuck,” said Don Corsaro, President of the Giumarra Companies.
Mr. Corsaro went on to say that Uchizono had been both his partner and mentor.
“He didn’t want to travel,” he said, “but I did not mind. Together, Tommy and I opened Giumarra’s Nogales and Escondido offices in the 1970’s. His character and reputation helped build the company. He did not ever say much, but when he did, everyone listened. He was a very kind and generous man.”
Uchizono retired from Giumarra in 2001. His son, Craig Uchizono, works with the Giumarra Companies as Vice President Southern Hemisphere.
There will be a service for Tommy Uchizono on Sunday, April 3 at 3 p.m. The service will take place at Wintersburg Presbyterian Church, located at 2000 N. Fairview St. in Santa Ana, Calif.
About the Giumarra Companies
The Giumarra Companies is a leading international network of fresh produce growers, distributors and marketers that encompasses a world of freshness. Since its inception in 1922, the Giumarra group of companies has taken pride in a longstanding commitment and tradition of quality, reliability and innovation to feed the world in a healthy way. For more information, visit: www.giumarra.com
Source: Giumarra Companies
