Long-time Mill Valley Market Partner Dies

Joe Morello, who co-owned Mill Valley Market from 1955 to 1990, died on Friday after several years of declining health.

Morello, who was believed to be 79, was raised in Mill Valley and was a star baseball player at Tamalpais High School. The son of a produce market owner, Morello grew up in the business, said Doug Canepa, who is the son of Morello's business partner Jim Canepa, and now the market's owner with his brother David.

Doug and David Canepa purchased the market in 1990 and carried on the traditions that their family had established over three generations. 

Doug Canepa said Morello was the son of Italian immigrants and had a passion for produce, baseball and his family.

"He had the difficult job of going to the produce market at midnight three times a week," Doug Canepa said, adding Morello was committed to getting the first pick of what was available. He also managed the spirits department at the store.

"He was a sweetheart of a guy, always jovial and mild mannered," Doug Canepa said. "He was my second dad."

He said even as Morello fell into poor health, he would go watch baseball games at the College of Marin.

Morello is survived by his wife, Augie, of Larkspur, three children, Linda, John and Joe, and several grandchildren.

Service information was not available.