Harold Thorkilsen; Led Growth of Ocean Spray

Former Ocean Spray President Harold Thorkilsen, who led the cranberry products company to tremendous growth, died Thursday after a brief illness. He was 64.

Thorkilsen joined Ocean Spray in 1968 as vice president of operations. He became president and chief executive officer four years later, and served in that position until 1987, when he retired.

During that 15-year tenure, Ocean Spray sales climbed from $87 million to $736 million. In the same period, the company’s profitability increased almost tenfold.

Ocean Spray, which is based in Lakeville, Mass., is a cooperative owned by 800 fruit growers, mostly cranberry growers. The company makes the products and markets them.

Thorkilsen forged several business relationships with other cooperatives to help Ocean Spray grow. He was known for leading the industry with innovative ideas.

Thorkilsen served as a board member for the National Council for Farmer Cooperatives. He was also a chairman of the National Food Processors Assn.

Before joining Ocean Spray, Thorkilsen was president of American Safety Razor Products, a division of Philip Morris Cos. Inc.

He was a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business.

Thorkilsen is survived by two daughters and a son.