Leo Baribeau, who was president of Star Produce and active in the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, has died.
Baribeau died Sept. 24. He was 73.
The Packer recognized Baribeau in 2005 as the Canadian Produce Man of the Year, and he received the CPMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. He was chairman of the association in 2003. He also was chairman of the Ag Canada Round Table for Horticulture.
He started his career in the industry as a produce clerk, then assistant produce manager and eventually produce buyer. He was a founding member of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-based Star Produce in 1989, with roles that included sales manager, vice president, and in 2000, president.
He retired in 2006.
“It’s just cool to be in a real rock ‘n’ roll business,” Baribeau said when accepting The Packer’s award in 2005.
While CPMA chairman, he helped develop a five-year strategic plan, started a grower-shipper task force and forged stronger ties with the country’s regional produce associations.
Survivors include his wife Virginia and daughter Sheila, according to his obituary.
A burial mass is scheduled for Oct. 22 in Saskatoon and the family requests donations be made to Prostate Cancer Canada.
