Everett Seeley, 87; master candy maker, store owner
To generations of San Diegans with a passion for homemade marshmallows and hand-dipped chocolates, Everett James Seeley was the king of confections.
From 1935 until his retirement 40 years later, Mr. Seeley owned candy stores in either San Diego or Chula Vista. Seven years after he retired, the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Durango, Colo., hired him as a master candy maker, and he provided the expertise to get the franchise off the ground.
Mr. Seeley, who returned to San Diego last December after living 15 years in Durango, died of congestive heart failure Wednesday at Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa. He was 87.
For many years, Mr. Seeley sold peanut brittle and other confections to the San Diego Zoo and the former Pacific Southwest Airlines.
His Seely’s Candy Co. drew sweet-tooth patrons over the years to sites at 16th and C and 17th and L streets in San Diego. And his Seeley Candy Stick was a fixture in the South Bay.
“His favorite flavor was rocky road with dark or milk chocolate,” said Barry Sacks of El Cajon, Mr. Seeley’s brother-in-law. “And he made his own marshmallow.
“He was such a kind and gentle guy, that not once did he leave anybody with a bad taste in their mouth, and I’m not just talking about the candy. He gave an average of $4,000 a year to charities.”
Mr. Seeley was born and raised in Coquille, Ore., where he ran track and played varsity football.
His first venture into the food business was a bakery in Oregon. He served in the Army during World War II and was stationed in France.
Three former educators from EL Cajon retained him as a consultant in starting the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise in the late 1970s. Before long, he was employed in Durango full time as the firm’s master candy maker.
“Without his knowledge they couldn’t start the business,” his brother-in-law said.
Mr. Seeley’s wife of 31 years, Glenda Seeley, died in 1972.
“They were married June 11, 1941, and she was the only woman in his life,” his brother-in-law said.
Survivors include two daughters, Trudy G. Seeley-Ramirez of Santa Monica and Jan A. Seeley-Sacks of El Cajon and a grandson.
Cremation was planned. No services are scheduled.
Published in The San Diego Union Tribune, Tuesday September 23, 1997
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