Fiesta Farms founder passes away at age 80

Fiesta Farms founder Joe Virgona  passed away at age 80 on Sunday (Feb. 5). 

Virgona was born Sept. 23, 1942, in Salina, Sicily, and immigrated to Canada on June 24, 1950, at the age of seven.

At the age of 14, he started working in the grocery industry as a stockboy and dreamed of one day owning his own business. Virgona quickly climbed the ranks to store manager at Power Supermarket. 

He later entered the independent industry, co-owning a Red and White Supermarket and co-founding Bonanza Supermarkets. Dedicated to pursuing his dream, his love of food led him to create Fiesta Farms.

Virgona passed the torch to his children when he retired several years ago.

“Joe was blessed with beautiful friendships, many of which lasted a lifetime. Many knew Joe as a kind and generous man with a big heart, and although he was a biological father of four, he was a dad to many,” a statement from Fiesta Farms reads. “He will be sadly missed by his family and friends but happily reunited with his loving wife, Judy and beautiful daughter, Joey.”