Husband dies on day of wife’s funeral after ‘never spending a night apart’

Joan and Bernard O’Malley died within days of each other

A husband has died within days of his wife’s passing after 65 years of marriage.

Bernard O’Malley, a businessman from Southport, died on the day of his wife Joan’s funeral. The couple were both 88 when they passed.

Their son Tim O’Malley, one of four siblings, said his parents had never spent a night apart throughout their marriage and they even set up a business together.

He and two of his siblings now work at that family business, and he shared his relief that both of his parents had been reunited.

Tim said: ‘After a short time in hospital, my mum, Joan O’Malley, died on October 11. My dad, Bernard, followed her shortly afterwards and passed away on October 30.

‘Neither death was unexpected although it was tough for us all hearing about my dad on the day of mum’s funeral.

The couple founded one of the largest, longest established, and most diverse companies in the UK

‘They were both 88 years old and had been married for 65 years.

‘In all that time they’d never spent a night apart. They’re back together now.’

Bernard and Joan founded the family business, now-called Nationwide Produce plc, in September 1975.

The business is one of the largest, longest established, and most diverse companies in the UK.

Tim added: ‘Nationwide Produce PLC began life in September 1975 as Bernard O’Malley & Co. The ‘Co’ was my mum. My dad did all the trading, my mum did the books.

‘The office was a small room in a small three bedroom house in Southport with four young kids running round – three of them now in the business, myself, Patrick and Anthony.

‘My dad never stopped talking about the business. First thing he did would say whenever I saw him was “how was the job?”

‘I’ll miss him, I’ll miss his boundless enthusiasm for the business but above all, I’ll miss his advice, his pearls of wisdom.’

The business apparently turned over £311,122 in its first year of trade. Last year, it turned over £186m.

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Those who knew Bernard and Joan flooded to Facebook to pay tribute.

Alan Smith wrote: ‘Just the nicest people you could ever meet. Sincere condolences to the family and friends who will miss them terribly.’

Fraser Gordon added: ‘A gentleman through and through who will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.’

And Chrissie Cotgrave commented: ‘He was a lovely man. Twinkling eyes, a smile for everyone. He will be missed by all who knew him.’

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