Okanagan fruit growing leader passes

Members of the B.C. agriculture industry are mourning the loss of a leader in the fruit growing sector.

Jeet Dukhia of Vernon died at age 74 on Dec. 14 due to complications from lung cancer.

This is shocking and heartbreaking news My sincere condolences &!thoughts are with Uncle Jeet’s family. https://t.co/yZhojla64O

— Harwinder Sandhu (@MLA_Sandhu) December 17, 2022

Dukhia served as president of the BC Fruit Growers Association in 2012, and was the current vice-president of the BCFGA, elected in February 2021 to a two-year term.

The association posted a tribute to Dukhia in its latest newsletter.

“Jeet immigrated to Canada as a youth with his family, landing in Port-Aux-Vasques, Newfoundland, where his father taught highschool,” the BCFGA told Vernon Matters. “After training as a power engineer in Calgary, Jeet worked at Vernon Jubilee Hospital and became chief engineer for the Interior Health Authority in 2010.”

After arriving in Vernon, Dukhia purchased his first orchard in 1974 in partnership with his brother. His 43-acre farm in Vernon was purchased in 1979.

The association said Dukhia replanted to high density apples, primarily Gala, Ambrosia, and Honey Crisp, along with three acres of cherries.

“Jeet was known for his connection to the grassroots, as well as his strong-willed approach to life and advocating for the under-represented,” the BCFGA said.

Condolences may be sent to jessedukia@yahoo.ca