The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) announced that on December 19 it lost a dear friend, supporter and current Board member with the passing of Anthony Sauta at age 59. Sauta began his automotive career over 25 years ago, working as a mechanic, then as a manager at an automotive repair […]
Andre Lacy, Former FinishMaster Chairman, Dies in Motorcycle Crash in Africa
LDI Ltd., LLC announced the death of its chairman, Andre B. Lacy, yesterday at age 78. Lacy passed away in Botswana in a single-rider accident while on a private motorcycle tour in southern Africa. LDI acquired majority control of FinishMaster in 1996. Lacy served as chairman and CEO of FinishMaster until his retirement from the […]
Al Gaspar, Former President of AAIA, Passes Away
Al Gaspar, industry icon and former president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), passed away at his home in Cave Creek, Ariz. on Saturday, Nov. 25. “Al was one of the most respected and revered individuals in the business,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “When Al walked into […]
Gene Hamilton Passes Away
Innovative founder of Atlanta, Ga.-area Sports and Imports Collision served in leadership positions on the boards of numerous industry organizations. Gene Lee Hamilton, founder of Sports and Imports Collision in Duluth, Ga. passed away Sunday at the age of 71. Hamilton started his career in the industry in automobile sales then later opened Sports and […]
Geoff Crane, Former Diamond Standard Auto Parts Director of Industry Relations, Passes Away
Geoffrey “Geoff” Crane, who served as director of industry relations at Diamond Standard Auto Parts, passed away September 5 in Olive Branch, Miss. at the age of 70. Diamond Standard, in a statement posted on its website, noted, “With sadness, we note the passing of Geoffrey Crane. Geoff was an integral part of the Diamond […]
Services Announced for Howard Batchelor
Services have been announced for Howard Batchelor, the long-time executive director of the Georgia Collision Industry Association, who passed away last week. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, September 20 at 2:30 p.m. at Roswell United Methodist Church in the Chapel. Ingram Funeral Home, Cumming, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be made […]
Howard Batchelor, Georgia Collision Industry Association Executive Director, Passes Away
The Georgia Collision Industry Association (GCIA) announced that its longtime executive director, Howard Batchelor, passed away yesterday. Batchelor, had been battling an inoperable brain tumor. The GCIA announced his passing yesterday in a statement on its website: Executive Director, colleague, and friend, Howard Batchelor, passed away this morning. As many know, he had been battling […]
Stan Rodman, Former ABPA Executive Director, Passes Away
Services scheduled for September 2 in Houston, Texas On Friday, July 21, former Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) Executive Director Stan Rodman, 79, passed away after dealing with a lengthy illness. Rodman served as Executive Director of the ABPA for thirty years from 1983-2013. Rodman is survived by his step-sons Gene Barinholtz (and Kelly), Alec […]
Former New York Shop Owner Richard A. Altieri Sr. Passes Away
Richard A. Altieri Sr., 92, passed away on April 21, at his Amsterdam, N.Y. home after a long illness with family by his side. Born in Amsterdam on April 4, 1925 he was the last living child of Anthony and Anna Altieri. He was predeceased by Edith Caprara Altieri, his wife of 41 years and mother […]
Tom Young, Former President of DuPont Automotive Refinish and FinishMaster, Passes Away
Thomas (Tom) Young passed away April 1 at the age of 84. Young spent most of his career at DuPont working at locations including San Francisco, St. Louis, Brussels, Belgium, Detroit, and Wilmington, Del. Young retired after 35 years with DuPont in the spring of 1996 as Worldwide Director of Automotive Refinish. In July 1996, […]