The fresh produce business in Italy is mourning the untimely passing of Bruno Di Lenardo, who reportedly took his own life just two days before Christmas and one day after a devastating fire destroyed his company's packhouse in Padua.

Di Lenardo, who had recently taken full control of the the eponymous company's fruit and vegetable trading division from his uncle Adriano following a restructuring of the business started by his grandfather and built up by his father, was a hugely well-liked and respected member of the Italian fresh produce trade and known to many in the sector around the world.

According to local press reports, Di Lenardo left individual messages for family, friends and colleagues before taking his own life in the bathroom of his office.

He had reportedly been left devastated by the destruction of his packhouse and was apparently inconsolable having made a significant personal investment to keep the company going.

The fire itself is believed to have started accidentally as a result of an electrical short circuit. It took a total of eight fire crews to bring the blaze under control.

Di Lenardo leaves a wife, Elisabetta, and two sons, Marco and Stefano.

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