Donald Nugent, ‘pioneer’ of dried fruit industry, dies

Donald Nugent, instrumental in the founding of Graceland Fruit, died March 5 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, according to company representatives. The Frankfort resident was 76.

Jim Nugent, chairman of the board at Graceland, said his brother was the driving force behind the dried fruit market. Jim Nugent said the first cranberry for Ocean Spray was dried at the Frankfort processing plant.

“He was a visionary,” Jim Nugent said. “He was very instrumental in developing the dried cherry market and also developed dried blueberries and dried cranberries.