Edward Paul Grangetto Sr. was a modest, humble man who founded Grangetto's Farm and Garden Supply Company, taking it from a small warehouse on Washington Avenue in Escondido to a successful agricultural business with four locations in North County.

He passed away on April 26, 2007, in Escondido, at age 93.

"He was a great guy," said his son, Kevin Grangetto, who now owns and operates the family business. "He was a real example to me as a husband and father. And now that I have children of my own, I realize the commitment he made to my mom and the business. … My dad's handshake was his word. He was well-respected in the community, sort of a legend."

Born in Duncan, Ariz., on Nov. 25, 1913, Edward was the youngest of four children of immigrants from northern Italy. In 1917, the family moved to San Marcos, where they farmed the land, raising grapes and other produce. After attending elementary school in the area, Edward attended Escondido High School and studied horticulture at UC Davis, where he graduated in 1938.

After graduation, he returned to help his mother with the San Marcos ranch, working at times at several jobs to help save the ranch in those harsh economic times. Then, in 1940, he married Oceanside native Josie Ann Dunn, with whom he had three children. During World War II, Edward enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army Air Corps, which later became the U.S. Air Force.

"He wanted to be a pilot," said his daughter, Julie Tripp of Escondido, "but he couldn't do that because he had nosebleeds."

In 1952, Grangetto started the business by supplying crop oils and fertilizers to the growing North County agricultural community.

"In the meantime, he was still doing tractor work, taking care of his own grove and doing spraying work, too," said Tripp. "He was always out on the tractor, watering the grove or spraying. And when it got below freezing at night, he would stay out until five in the morning to tend to the smudge pots. There were no wind machines at that time, and that was the only way you could keep the trees warm.

"He could come in the morning and his face would be black. … My biggest memory was Mother saying, 'I wonder what it would be like to eat at a reasonable hour,' because he was always working late."

Kevin Grangetto said his father served on the first San Marcos City Council. He was also honored as the San Diego County Farm Bureau's Farmer of the Year in 2001 and served as an officer of the Escondido Lemon Association and the Calavo Growers of California, and director of the Production Credit Association. The company recently celebrated 55 years in business.

In retirement, he also enjoyed fishing, raising avocados and citrus, and traveling.

"I have a very fond memory of him bungee jumping at the age of 85 over a big river in New Zealand," remembered Tripp. "We have it on videotape, and when I said, 'Daddy, weren't you scared?' he said, 'Why? I have lived a good life.'

"He was very Italian. His family was the pride of his life, and he adored children. We were so fortunate to live here on the ranch with him."

All three children and their families still live on the same 60-plus-acre property in Escondido in separate homes, which Edward and Josie Grangetto purchased in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Patriarch Edward Grangetto lived in his own house on the top of the hill until his death.

He is survived by his children, Julie Ann Tripp and husband Wayne Tripp; son Edward P. Jr. and wife Karen Grangetto, and son Kevin Michael and wife Martha Grangetto. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Heather and Kyle Hawkins, Elise, Matthew and Lindsey Grangetto, and one great-grandson, Colin Hawkins.

- Contact staff writer Ruth Marvin Webster at (760) 740-3527 or rwebster@nctimes.com.