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You are here: Home / Archives for Obituaries

Lavell Chisum, Collision Repair Industry Inventor, Dies at 98

May 14, 2025 By CollisionWeek Editor Leave a Comment

The collision repair industry lost a visionary with the passing of Finis Lavell Chisum, 98, of McAlester, Okla. who died peacefully on May 7. Known affectionately as Lavell to friends and family, he leaves behind a remarkable legacy of innovation, entrepreneurship, and service. Chisum is best known as the inventor of the EZ Liner frame […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Obituaries, People

Services September 19-20 for Al Estorga, Former Collision Repair Shop Owner and President of California Autobody Association

September 17, 2024 By CollisionWeek Editor

Services have been scheduled for Al Estorga, the former owner of Estorga’s Collision Repair in Long Beach, Calif., who passed away September 6 at the age of 79. Estorga, a third-generation collision repairer, was CEO of Estorga’s Collision Repair Center located in Long Beach Calif., starting in 1970. He served as president of the California […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: California Autobody Association, Collision Industry Conference, Obituaries

BendPak Founder Don Henthorn Passes Away

April 2, 2024 By CollisionWeek Editor

Don Henthorn, owner and founder of BendPak Inc., passed away at home Thursday, March 28, at the age of 85. Under his leadership, BendPak has grown from a small machine shop to one of the world’s leading manufacturers of car lifts and automotive service equipment. Management and operations of the privately owned company are unchanged. […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: BendPak, Obituaries

AASP/NJ Mourns the Loss of Board Member Sam Mikhail

March 13, 2024 By CollisionWeek Editor

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) with great sadness announced the death of longtime member Sam Mikhail, former owner of Prestige Auto Body in Garwood, N.J. Mikhail, an AASP/NJ Hall of Famer, served on the AASP/NJ Board for decades and was a friend and inspiration to all. He strived to make […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: AASP/NJ, AASP/NJ Hall of Fame, New Jersey, Obituaries

Diamond Standard Parts’ Emmett Baker Passes Away

July 6, 2023 By CollisionWeek Editor

Diamond Standard Parts announced the passing of William Emmett Baker on June 25 at the age of 68. Baker was a member of the Diamond Standard start up group and later served as Northeast Sales and Distribution manager at Diamond Standard’s Pittston, Pa distribution facility until his retirement. A visitation for Baker will be held […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Diamond Standard, Obituaries, People

Michael Lloyd, Former CIECA Chair and California Casualty AVP of Material Damage Claims, Passes Away

January 31, 2023 By CollisionWeek Editor

Michael Lloyd, whose career in the industry spanned over 50 years in both collision repair and auto insurance, passed away January 25 at the age of 69. Michael was born March 28, 1953, in Poplar Bluff, Mo, the middle child of three children. He learned car repair and body shop management from his father who […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: California Casualty, Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association, Obituaries, People

AASP/NJ Mourns Longtime Members Jack Wilson and Sal Failla

January 4, 2023 By CollisionWeek Editor

Early December brought the loss of two longtime members, supporters and friends of the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) with the passing of Jack Wilson, former owner of Coury’s Auto Body in Toms River, and Sebastiano “Sal” Failla of Sal’s Auto Body in Green Brook. Jack passed away on December 5, […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: AASP/NJ, Obituaries, People

Longtime Pennsylvania Collision Repair Shop Owner Franny Monaghan Passes Away

November 7, 2022 By CollisionWeek Editor

Francis X. “Franny” Monaghan, who owned and operated Monaghan’s Collision Service in Abington and Willow Grove, Pa.  passed away November 1 at the age of 79. Franny was active in the Delaware Valley Collision Specialists association for many years and active at the state and national level. He was a frequent participant for many years […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Obituaries, Pennsylvania, People

Jeff Silver, Former I-CAR Leader and Shop Owner, Passes Away

September 26, 2022 By CollisionWeek Editor

Silver was chief staff executive at non-profit training organization for 11 years. Was driving force behind establishment of Collision Repair Education Foundation. The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) announced on Friday that Jeff Silver, who served as the chief staff executive of the non-profit training organization from 1985 to 1996 has passed away […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: I-CAR, Illinois, Obituaries

MEMA Mourns the Passing of Aftermarket Veteran Steve Handschuh

August 25, 2022 By CollisionWeek Editor

Steve Handschuh, the automotive aftermarket veteran who joined the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) in 2006, died on August 22. A native of Baltimore, Handschuh joined MEMA as President and Chief Operating Officer of MEMA’s Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) division and was named President and CEO of MEMA in 2013. Handschuh retired in […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association, Obituaries, People

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