Emil Cotard Ghio

Emil “Junior” Ghio was a legendary storyteller, businessman, and friend to many. A lifelong San Diegan, he was born to Silvia and Emil A. Ghio, spoke Italian as his first language, and spent his early years growing up in the North Park neighborhood alongside his younger sister, Donna McMahon (née Ghio), with whom he maintained a close bond. He attended Jefferson Elementary School and Roosevelt Junior High School. His long work life began at the age of 12 peddling ice cream from a bicycle cart in Balboa Park.

At San Diego High School, Emil played basketball and was senior class president. Known for his infectious personality, he emceed and played the accordion in school talent shows.

The day after his high school graduation in 1944, Emil, like most of the other male graduates, joined the war effort and enlisted in the United States Navy. Being only 17 years old, he required his mother’s permission. He attended submarine school in New London, Connecticut and ultimately was assigned to the U.S.S. Queenfish, a diesel-powered submarine engaged in the Pacific Campaign. Upon his return from the war in 1946, he was afraid to let his mother see the new tattoo of a submarine on his forearm.

After his military service, he studied business at San Diego State University, worked at the bookstore, joined Kappa Sigma fraternity, and graduated in 1950. Also while in college, his gregarious personality proved to be an asset in his job selling shoes at Leed’s Shoe Store on Fifth Avenue in downtown San Diego.

After college, Emil followed in his father’s footsteps and became a successful grower, packer, and shipper of fruits and vegetables in the South Bay under the brand Golden West Packing Company, which was one of the largest of such companies on the west coast, and distributed fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the United States and Canada.

Known to be somewhat of a workaholic, he followed the American dream and toiled long, hard hours until his retirement in 1989. He later recounted dramatic stories reflecting the constant stress he endured due to price fluctuations, water shortages, and labor union demands. He deeply appreciated and expressed tremendous gratitude to the farmworkers and especially to his business partner, Robert Egger, Jr.

He served for 18 years as the Chairman of the City of San Diego Agriculture Advisory Board, and also served as Labor Relations Chairman of the California Commission on Agriculture under then-Lieutenant Governor Mike Curb, President of the San Diego County Farmers Association, and a board member of the Western Growers Association.

In 1955, at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Emil married the love of his life, Maureen Maloney, to whom he remained faithful and dedicated until her passing in 2018. Together, they established a wonderful family life in Point Loma with their four children and many pets, including ducks, rabbits, cats, birds, and their much-cherished German Shepherd, Sophie.

Maureen and Emil enjoyed spending time in Palm Desert and traveling to Italy, Hawaii, and Las Vegas, where they met Emil’s favorite performer, Frank Sinatra. After Maureen’s passing, Emil toasted her nightly with his favorite Tanqueray Sterling vodka-on-the-rocks, announcing, “Mo, I’m only having one!” (Sometimes it was “only two.”)

Emil was an avid tennis player, participating in senior tournaments and often playing doubles with his son Stevie as his tennis partner. He continued to play until the age of 92, when he finally proclaimed that “a man must know his limits.”

Emil is survived by his most beloved sister Donna; son Stephen Ghio; daughter Marcy Cunningham (née Ghio), her husband John, and their sons Dominic and Derek; son Chris Ghio, his wife Helen, their son Vincent, and daughter Marie; son Greg Ghio and his girlfriend Susan Meyer; and many nieces and nephews.

As a devout Catholic, U.S. patriot, and family man, Emil deeply loved God, his country, and his family. He will be remembered for his outgoing personality, immense generosity, and care and concern for others. He did it his way.

“Over and out.”

A recitation of the rosary followed by a funeral Mass will be held at Saint Agnes Catholic Church in Point Loma on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Emil to the Kraemer Endowment Foundation, St. Madeline Sophie’s Center, 2119 E. Madison Ave, El Cajon, CA 92019 (stmsc.org).