Known for his love of family, golf and the produce industry, longtime onion and produce broker/grower/shipper Ed Mallett of California passed away June 1 at the age of 85.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, June 10, at 2 p.m. at 6207 Vista Estrella in Bakersfield. If you’d like details, please call 661-246-6511 or 208-539-0005. And in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send donations to the Bakersfield SPCA, 3000 Gibson Street, Bakersfield CA 93308 or to your favorite charity.
Ed is survived by by his loving wife, Mary, sons Steven (Camille) and Tom, daughters Marcy Guthrie (Alan) and Lori Cavagnaro, granddaughter Patsy, grandsons Keith, Derek (Jenna) and Cole, and great-granddaughter Brooke.
A 67-year veteran of the produce industry, Ed worked as a grower, broker and shipper from “California to Arizona to Texas and beyond,” as described in the tribute written by Mary and sons Steve and Tom. He was founder and owner of E.M. Mallett Co. and “was truly a worldwide ambassador for the industry, including his tenure as President of the National Onion Association from 1971 to 1976,” the tribute added.
Ed was born in Stockton, CA, on March 2, 1932, to Mel and Katie Mallett, and during his lifetime he loved three things most: “His family, golf and the produce business – not necessarily in that order,” the tribute went on to say. “It seems that he was born on the golf course and remained there all of his life. He was a member of the Spyglass Hill Club in Pebble Beach for 42 years, which he shared generously with his friends and family. It was truly a special treat to finish 18 holes of golf on such a majestic course with the finest cheeseburgers waiting for you in the Founder’s Room.”
And he was a master of the game, according to the tribute. “Ed never met a green that he could not two-putt, whether the second one went in the hole or in his pocket.”
But more than golf, “Ed loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.”
The full tribute can be viewed online at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bakersfield/obituary.aspx?n=edward-m-mallett&pid=185704074#sthash.Bs6ETvF1.dpuf.
He is remembered in the onion industry for his hard work as owner of E.M. Mallett Co. and his dedication to the entire industry through the NOA. Chris Woo of Murakami Produce in Ontario, OR, told OnionBusiness, “When Ed was the NOA president, he was instrumental in moving the association’s headquarters from Michigan to Colorado.”
And OnionBusiness’s Sherise Jones remembered, “I met Ed and Mary and had dinner with them in Monterey, CA, several years ago during a PMA Expo. They were both very easy to get to know, and I remember them as lovely and gracious people. They seemed to be a very devoted couple, too. I recall them laughing and enjoying each other’s company, and I imagine that’s how they lived their life together.”
