Produce industry veteran David Gray of Bushwick Commission Co. Inc. died Friday, July 3 in Delray Beach, FL, after battling cancer. Mr. Gray was 81 years old.
The passionate produce advocate was the co-president of Bushwick Commission Co. Inc. and a potato industry veteran for over 60 years. Mr. Gray began his career in September 1960 at the age of 22. From the beginning, his dedication and devotion to the industry he loved were strong.
Mr. Gray joined together with his brother-in-law, Jack Hyman, and father-in-law, the late Jack Koondel, to bring Bushwick to a new level in growing, packing, and shipping premium potatoes. Mr. Gray was part of the third generation at Bushwick, along with Hyman, to strengthen the company’s local growing operations and distribution in order to satisfy the needs of their customers all over the country.
“My dad, David, really loved the produce and potato business, developing such strong relationships with our growers, customers, and transportation teams. He leaves us with such a proud legacy that I feel so lucky to be a part of. As a member of the fourth generation now at Bushwick, I will honor and follow in my dad’s footsteps, ones which embody providing our customers with the same level of honesty and integrity that he encouraged throughout our company,” said Ken Gray, vice president of sales and marketing of Bushwick Commission.
That passion and commitment carried through many of Mr. Gray’s roles and efforts in the industry. He was a lifelong member of the Eastern Produce Council and active in many philanthropic causes such as the annual Cerebral Palsy Farmer’s Market Food Drive and Play for P.I.N.K. (Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, Knowledge) breast cancer research.
“My dad taught me a strong work ethic at an early age and pushed me to work hard and achieve," said said Ken Gray. "Qualities such as leadership, strength, courage, compassion, empathy for others, the meaning of kindness, and giving to others who are less fortunate, are just a handful of the gifts he bestowed on us all. He taught me what mattered most in the produce industry: Your word was your bond. Dad took immense pride in developing and maintaining lifelong relationships throughout the industry. He was well respected and truly cared about people, their families, birthdays, and joyous moments in all their lives.”
Seen above are David Gray and Ken Gray.
