Nicholas V. Fusano; Retired Olive Processor

Nicholas V. Fusano, a leading figure in the San Fernando Valley’s agricultural industry for many years, has died at a Mission Hills hospital. He was 78.

A longtime resident of Sylmar, Fusano died Sunday of kidney failure, said his sister, Angie Fusano.

Born Nov. 24, 1912, in Sylmar, which was then planted with large olive groves, Fusano worked as a boy for the Sylmar Packing Co. In 1938, his father opened Cristo Fusano & Sons Inc., which manufactured olive oil and canned olives under its own label. Fusano, who served as the company’s president, retired in 1977 when the family sold the operation.

He was a longtime member of the Elks Lodge in San Fernando, St. Didacus Catholic Church in Sylmar and had coached Little League and T-ball teams from the late 1940s to the late 1960s.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Emma J. Fusano of Sylmar; sons Christopher John Fusano of Visalia, Calif., Robert Leon Fusano of Carson City, Nev., and Nicko Fusano of Laguna Beach, Calif.; daughters Rose Yvonne Butler of Seattle and Marian Angela Bryte of Sylmar; brothers Mike Fusano and John C. Fusano, both of Sylmar and Ralph Fusano of Lindsay, Calif.; sisters Angie Fusano, Conchetta Salaben and Rose LaPreziosa, all of Sylmar; 8 grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.

A funeral was held Wednesday with burial at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills. J.T. Oswald Mortuary in San Fernando handled arrangements. Donations can be made to the Sylmar Independent Baseball League, P.O. Box 923712, Sylmar 91392-3712.