Ferdinand Duda; Family Built Agribusiness Giant

Ferdinand Duda, 87, member of an immigrant family that built a Florida celery farm into the agribusiness giant A. Duda & Sons. The firm now operates in California, Arizona, Texas, Mexico and Australia growing citrus, vegetables and sugar cane. The Dudas also raise cattle and have recently branched into land development. Duda, the last of three sons of the founder, retired as president and chief executive officer in 1981. The current president of the closely held family corporation is his son, Ferdinand S. Duda. On Tuesday in Oviedo, Fla., of complications from Parkinson’s disease.