Tributes to ‘inspirational’ entrepreneurial couple
Tributes paid to inspirational Southport couple Bernard and Joan O’Malley, who started one of the town’s most successful businesses, after they died within days of each other. Andrew Brown reports
Tributes have been paid to Southport couple Bernard and Joan O’Malley, both aged 88, who died within days of each other following 65 years of married life.
Mr and Mrs O’Malley founded what is now Nationwide Produce PLC, which has its headquarters on Lord Street in Southport town centre.
The couple and their family have grown Nationwide Produce PLC nearly 50 years ago into one of the largest, longest established, and most diverse produce companies in the UK with an £186m turnover operating across four countries and employing 300 staff.
They have long been hugely supportive of a wide range of community projects in the Southport area and beyond.
In a statement, Tim O’Malley said: “After a short time in hospital, my mum, Joan O’Malley, died on Friday, October 11. My dad, Bernard, followed her shortly afterwards and passed away on Wednesday 30th October.
“Neither death was unexpected although it was tough for us all hearing about my dad on the day of my mum’s funeral. They were both 88 years old and had been married 65 years. In all that time they’d hardly spent a night apart. They’re back together now.”
Nationwide Produce PLC began life in September 1975 as Bernard O’Malley & Co. Tim added: “The ‘Co’ was my mum. My dad did all the trading, my mum did the books.
“The office was a small room in a small three bedroom house in Southport with four young kids running around – three of them now in the business. Myself, Patrick and Anthony.
“We still have the first set of accounts. The business turned over £311,122 in its first year and made a small profit.”
This last financial year, Nationwide turned over £186m, trading from nine offices/depots/packhouses in four countries and employing 300 staff.
“My dad never stopped talking about the business. First thing he would say whenever I saw him was ‘how’s the job?” Said Tim. “He loved the fruit and veg trade and was enormously proud of the business he created alongside my mum.
“I’ll miss him, I’ll miss his boundless enthusiasm for the business but above all, I’ll miss his advice, his pearls of wisdom.”
Donations are being gratefully accepted in lieu of flowers for The Walton Centre who cared for Bernard so well. These can be sent c/o of David at Massam and Marshall Independent Funeral Directors, 137-139 Manchester Road, Southport, PR9 9BD telephone 01704549222.