Mr. Arthur Francis La Londe Jr., fondly known to everyone as Art, age 92, of Valley Fruit & Produce Company in the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market – an industry legend - passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 5:15 PM, in Miami.
The son of the late Arthur F. La Londe Sr. and Aurelia La Londe, Art was born June 5th, 1926 in Los Angeles, California. In 1945, at the ripe age of 19, he served in the U.S. Navy. He retired shortly after the end of World War II to attend college and went on to obtain a business degree from Loyola Marymount. As a young boy, he eagerly watched his father work as a produce broker; this was during the time when the 9th Street Market was still on San Pedro. The excitement in the fast paced produce environment lured and inspired Art and at the age of 23 he joined the ranks of many whose love for produce consumed them.
Art was once quoted saying, “I built my life around the job that made me the happiest.” He always had a ready smile and a helping hand to everyone he had worked for and with.
As one of the pioneers in the Los Angeles produce industry and for almost three quarters of a decade, Art was known for his passion and penchant for what he considered “his world”. His legacy will prevail as Valley Fruit & Produce Company will continue to stand proud and strong and as Art would declare….”is here to stay and withstand the test of time and generations to come.”
Art is survived and lovingly remembered by Sylvia, his wife of 41 years, his companion, Xiomara, his children Stephen La Londe, Douglas La Londe, Caron Roccanova, and Lynn Allen. Art will also be remembered by his brother Donald La Londe, sister Suzanne King, his ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Services to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, September 15th, at 12:00 in the afternoon located at: Christ the King Church, 624 N. Rossmore Ave., Los Angeles, California 90004.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Art may be made to:
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place; Memphis, TN 38105 / donors@stjude.org.
Contact:
Maria Victoria Barrion
Valley Fruit & Produce
Tel. (213) 627-8736