A man who almost never spent a night apart from his wife in their 65 years of marriage, died on the day of her funeral.

Businessman Bernard O’Malley died on October 30, the day of his beloved wife Joan’s funeral, their son has said. The married couple were both 88 and founded Nationwide Produce PLC in September 1975. Bernard started the business in a small room, of their small three-bedroom house in Southport.

With the help of his wife Joan, it grew into one of the largest, longest established, and most diverse produce companies in the UK. In a tribute posted on Facebook, son Tim spoke of how his parents’ business began and how much they loved their jobs.

He said: “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 around – three of them now in the business, myself, Patrick and Anthony.

“We still have the first set of accounts. The business turned over £311,122 in its first year and made a small profit. This last financial year, Nationwide turned over £186m from nine offices/depots/packhouses in four countries employing 300 staff. My dad never stopped talking about the business.

“First thing he would say whenever I saw him was ‘how’s the job?’. He loved the fruit & veg trade and was enormously proud of the business he created alongside my mum. 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.”

Tim said in all the 65 years of marriage the couple had ‘hardly spent a night apart’. “They’re back together now,” he added. Following the news of their sad deaths many people paid tribute to the couple, who were well known in Southport.

Kate Sparkes wrote: “So sorry to hear of your sad loss. What a wonderful legacy they leave behind we are so grateful for all the support and loyalty you’ve given us and the farming community. My dad always had wonderful stories and memories of dealing with Bernard, sending our condolences to you all x.”

Sandra Denise Fox commented on the post: “My condolences to all the O’Malley family on the passing of your dear parents sad times but a blessing they are reunited and not apart for long. My late husband worked many years delivering carrots from Norfolk to the London Markets for Nationwide, sending my thoughts and prayers to you all. God Bless.”