OBITUARY: Cliff Friedrich, Auto 7 Regional Sales Manager
MIAMI – Cliff Friedrich, Auto 7 regional sales manager, passed away Dec. 19, after suffering a massive stroke on Dec. 16. In sharing the news of his passing, Steve Kruss, president of Auto 7, wrote: “If you knew Cliff, you knew his joy, his laugh, his smile, his character. He always put others ahead of
OBITUARY: Mighty Auto Parts Director Of Marketing Dave Raphael
“Dave was a dedicated member of the Mighty team – thoroughly professional – a warm-hearted ambassador of good will,” according to Ken Voelker, president and CEO of Mighty.
OBITUARY: Richard Healy, Former Executive Director Of The Automotive Wholesalers Association Of New England
A Staff Sergeant in the Air Force, Healy was a veteran of the Korean War. Upon his return to civilian life, his career was in the automotive industry as territory manager and then district manager for 12 years with Walker Manufacturing Co.; and as executive director of the Automotive Wholesalers Association of New England (AWANE) for 38 years. He also was founder and chairman of the Board of the AWANE Credit Union (which became the Monadnock Community Bank); co-founder of the AWANE Insurance Trust, the Automotive Industries Compensation Corporation and the Coalition for a Level Playing Field.
OBITUARY: Off-Road Icon Mark A. Smith Passes Away
Smith was an early pioneer of the sport of “Jeeping” in 1953, and in an effort to boost the local economy, he helped organize the first-ever Jeep trip on the Rubicon Trail in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
OBITUARY: Jacques Landreville, Former Head Of Uni-Select
Landreville served as president and CEO of Uni-Select from 1991 through 2007, when he was succeeded by Richard Roy. Roy took over leadership on Jan. 1, 2008, and Landreville remained a member of the board, acting also as a special adviser to the president.
OBITUARY: James E. Lyle, Founder And Former President of International Brake Industries Inc.
He founded International Brake Industries in 1967 and served as president until his retirement in 1999. He also served the industry as chairman of Brake System Parts Manufacturing Council in 1984 and also served on the board.
OBITUARY: Tire Rack Founder Peter Veldman
The Tire Rack founder passed away this morning.
OBITUARY: Richard Andrews, Former President Of Stemco
Richard Andrews, an innovative leader and consummate gentleman of the industry, passed away on Feb. 9 at age 70 after an extended illness. Industry peers remember Andrews as an astute businessman and executive with a big heart.
OBITUARY: Baldwin Filters VP Sales And Marketing Jeff Vasichek Passes Away
Vasichek joined Baldwin in June of 2011 and had responsibility for the company’s OE and aftermarket sales, as well as marketing.
OBITUARY: Bill Frazier, Former Owner And Partner Of Hirsig-Frazier Co.
Frazier served two years in the Army and upon discharge in 1958 began work as a salesman at the company his father co-founded, Hirsig-Frazier Co. Inc. Selling was his passion and joy and he excelled at it. He and his two partners took ownership of the company in 1968 and he retired as vice president of sales in 1993.