Doug Nasiff, a longtime New England wholesaler, was remembered by business friends and colleagues as an individual who cared for his workers and possessed a passion for the produce industry.
Nasiff, 53, was vice president and partner with the family-owned Nasiff Fruit Co., based in Fall River, MA.
He died at his home in North Dartmouth, MA, on Sept. 10. His Sept. 14 funeral mass was well-attended and was “an unbelievable tribute” with “non-stop receiving hours” from people throughout the country who attended, telephoned and sent emails and flowers in an amazing outpouring, says Steven Nasiff, Doug Nasiff’s brother and the company’s president.
For the past eight years, Doug Nasiff underwent dialysis. He would work during the day before late afternoon treatment, constantly talking with suppliers via telephone and computer, says Steven Nasiff. The day before Doug Nasiff died, he helped some employees regrade product and later watched football on television with his children at his home. That shows Doug Nasiff doing the two things he loved the most: being with his family and working the produce business, says Steven Nasiff.
“He had a passion,” he says. “He had an unmatched passion for the produce industry straight on through.”
Doug Nasiff was an “old-school” buyer. “He always wanted every transaction to be a winner,” says Steven Nasiff. “Those people, his suppliers, were devastated. They miss him because of the way he was. They knew he was passionate about his work.”
In addition to his brother, Doug Nasiff is survived by his wife, Nelia Nasiff; his mother, Marilyn Nasiff; son Jordan Nasiff and daughter Andrea Nasiff; sisters Melanie Harrington and Melissa Almeida and many nieces and nephews.
Melissa Almeida is comptroller for the third-generation family operation while Jordan Nasiff works in sales and customer service.
Founded in 1929, Nasiff Fruit distributes produce to foodservice companies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Source: PerishableNews.com
