FPJ is sad to announce the death last week of fruit-trade veteran Sidney Garber at the age of 90.
Following war service, Garber joined Spitalfields Market based wholesaler and importer Louis Reece back in 1948. He played a pivotal role in its development and expansion over almost forty years culminating in its sale in 1985.
This included the creation of the Checkers Co-operative at Horsmonden in Kent for the marketing of English top fruit, as well as turning the company into a major importer of Australian apples and pears, which at the time were bought forward on an Irrevocable Letter of Credit often when the orchards were only in flower.
Widely respected, Garber played an active part in in a trade that continued to change. In his later years he became president of the National Federation of Fruit & Potato Trades, a forerunner to the Fresh Produce Consortium.
At aged 18, Garber served in the Royal Navy where he was commissioned and awarded his Wings. Although he never saw active service, he flew many hours during World War II.
Recently, Garber answered a request from the Imperial War Museum for naval war pilots who had flown any of 24 listed aircraft. Garber, who had flown 21, became the subject of a 90-minute recorded interview.
He leaves three sons; Roger, Andrew and Simon. Roger Garber is a shareholder and founder of Premier Fruits in New Covent Garden Market.
