Produce industry veteran and B&B Produce owner Robert “Bob” Bassetti, 83, died Sept. 15 in Hammonton, N.J., according to a news release.
Bassetti’s produce career began at R&B Produce, a partnership owned by his father, James “Big Jim” Bassetti, and his uncle, John Ruggeri. After John Ruggeri died, Bassetti went to work with his father. He eventually left R&B Produce in the mid-1970s and started B&B Produce with his partner, Richard Bacigalupo, according to the release.
Bassetti eventually became the sole owner and expanded to locations in Hammonton and Benson, N.C. Bassetti’s daughter, Melanie Heath, worked with him for 17 years.
“It wasn’t always easy working for a produce legend! He moved at a high speed with a relentless passion for his work. Dad did everything from running the forklift to selling blues with Driscoll’s. He was an amazing produce man and everybody that worked with dad loved him,” Heath said in the release. “I appreciated everything Dad did for our family, he was always a constant in my life and I love him so much.”
An innovative and forward thinker, Bassetti developed microwaveable wrappers for steaming sweetpotatoes, according to the release. He had a passion for produce and lived and breathed the business, and over time, Bob expanded from sweetpotatoes into blueberries and worked with Driscoll’s, the release said.
Reflecting on his life
“I have a tremendous amount of love and respect for my big brother Bobby; he lived life to the fullest. He was in constant motion, always hustling and making things happen. He loved the action of the produce markets as much as he loved the craps tables,” Bob Bassetti’s brother, Jimmy Bassetti of Little Bear Produce, said in the release. “Bobby was an original ‘produce man,’ constantly making deals whether he was in New Jersey, North Carolina or at his island home in St. Maarten. He had so many industry friends, colleagues and customers who loved him dearly — we will all miss Bobby.”
“Bobby was my oldest brother and I loved him dearly, but when it came to Yams and Blues, he was as tough as it gets!” Bob Bassetti’s sister, Cheryl Densten of Little Bear Produce, said in the release. “Nothing could stop Bob from making deals, no matter where he was, you can bet he was always cutting a deal. He was very proud of his pack, and he always wanted top dollar, and he usually got it. I will miss Bobby and all the wonderful family times that we shared with him.”
Bassetti not only had a passion for produce, but he also loved sports, spending time with his family at the Jersey shore and in the Caribbean islands, the release said.
Bassetti was the oldest child of James “Big Jim” and Dolores “Tootsie” Bassetti. At age 16 he joined the Army National Guard and served for seven years. After graduating from Sacred Heart High School in Vineland, N.J., Bob Bassetti started a popular local barbershop and developed strong friendships and relationships across South Jersey, according to the release.
Bassetti is survived by his children, Elaine Buchberger (Dale), Laurie Trongone (John), Melanie Heath (Dave); the mother of his children, Phyllis Bassetti; his brother, James Bassetti (Diane); his sisters, Marlene Scott and Cheryl Densten (Bruce); his grandchildren, Zachary Buchberger (Niki), Camille Doherty, Jenna Trongone (Rob), Anthony Venuto (Brittany); and two great-grandchildren.
Bassetti is predeceased by his parents, James and Dolores Bassetti; his second wife, Janet (Stevenson) Bassetti; his grandson, Nicholas Venuto; and his brother-in-law, Roger Scott, the release said.
Memories and online condolences can be sent to ronefuneralservice.com.
