Co–owned respected produce market
Published in the July 2, 2015 edition
LYNNFIELD — Barbara P. (Morgan) Rubbico passed away at her Lynnfield home on Tuesday morning, June 23, following a lengthy illness in the presence of her loving family.
Born in Boston, she was raised and educated in Revere, graduating from Revere High School, Class of 1951, and continuing onto Katherine Gibbs Secretarial College of Boston, graduating in 1953. In 1954, Barbara married her soul mate, Joseph M. Rubbico, who died in October of 2011.
The couple worked as a team to establish a profitable and respected produce market but also an amazing family of 10 children. In 1955, they established Crystal Fruit in Wakefield, which soon became known as J.J. Fruit. They expanded their business to Lynnfield and Saugus, they were successful in introducing fruit to the Hilltop. They supplied their patented “FruiTree” which was sold to national supermarket chains. While in business for over 50 years, Barbara and Joe worked alongside each other, almost as a unit.
The couple were especially generous and active in local organizations, schools, churches and sports teams. Barbara had a magnanimous and exuberant personality, filling the room with her presence, especially when the room was full of family and extended family. She lived for her family and they for her.
She is the cherished mother of Barbara P. Studdert and her husband Edward, Ellen E. Crawford and her husband Philip B., chairman of the Lynnfield Board of Selectmen, all of Lynnfield, Joseph M. Rubbico of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Susan M. Castadoro and her husband Edward A., Sherri L. Harvey and her husband Alex J., Patricia R. Torosian and her husband Thomas R. and Marilyn A. Rubbico, all of Lynnfield, James M. Rubbico, John M. Rubbico and his wife Vanessa, all of Las Vegas, Nev. and the late Joan M. Rubbico. She is the very proud grandmother of Courtney and Edward Studdert, James Crawford and his wife Michelle, Ashley Crawford and her fiancée Philip Anderson, Brittany and Nicole Crawford, Christina Castadoro, Morgan Rubbico, Jackie Harvey and her fiancée Jared Saramago, A.J. Harvey, Michael Harvey, Tucker, Nicholas and Vanessa Rose Torosian, Johnny Rubbico and Victoria Rubbico. She is also survived by many caring nephews, nieces, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Barbara was the last of her siblings, they were; Genevieve O’Brien, Marie Churchill, Regina Kennedy, Eleanor Bruce, Madeline Taggart, Marilyn A. Malatesta, Mildred Curtis, Robert and James Morgan. Barbara’s Dad, James W. Morgan, was one of the pioneers of Revere Beach Boulevard, owning and operating concession stands and amusement rides. She was the daughter of the late Jennie M. (Steele) Morgan and the late James W. Morgan.
Family and friends were invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, June 28, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere.
A funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, June 29 at 11 a.m. in St. Maria Goretti Church, 112 Chestnut St., Lynnfield.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Lynnfield Townscape Inc., P.O. Box 172, Lynnfield MA 01940 or Greater Lynn Senior Services, 8 Silsbee St., Lynn MA 01901.
