Norm Stavis, president and co-founder of North Coast Seafoods, has died at age 69 after a battle with cancer.
Stavis’s illness was not widely announced, and his death came as a shock to many in the industry who knew him well.
Stavis served as president of the company since 1988.
“He was as passionate about the growth of North Coast as he was about his employees, customers, and industry friends,” stated Stavis’s obituary in The Boston Globe.
John Connelly, president of the National Fisheries Institute, said Stavis was invaluable to the industry.
“Norm Stavis, President of North Coast Seafood, was among the most knowledgeable executives in the seafood community. He coupled a sophisticated command of his business with deep understanding of how many public policy issues impacted the entire industry,” Connelly said. “His unassuming, deliberate style saw him prefer a quiet word of advice rather than the spotlight. He played an important role in helping the National Fisheries Institute advocate for all of its members. His friendly manner, enduring commitment, and counsel will be missed.”
