Popular Post kscarbel2 Posted June 10 Popular Post Share Posted June 10 Birth: May 29th, 1934 Death: June 5th, 2024 The Morning Call / June 10, 2024 John “Jack” Baptist Curcio was born on May 29, 1934, on Wyoming Street in Hazelton Pennsylvania. Born the only son of a coal miner and high school janitor, Curcio was taught by his parents, John Baptist Curcio Sr. and Bridget Slattery, a work ethic that would become his trademark throughout his life. In 1951, John, known to his family as “Jackie,” graduated from Hazelton High School, but not before meeting Rosemary Kutash, also of Hazelton, who would become his lifetime love. Their relationship would begin similar to that of “Lady and the Tramp” with ‘Jackie’ the tough street kid from the southside of town and Rosemary the quiet school valedictorian from the Northside. Family members of the couple even pointed out that Jack was given his first pair of new shoes as a gift by Rosemary’s parents, John and Connie Kutash. In 1953, Curcio joined the United States Navy where he enlisted to fight in Korea. Curcio served in the Seventh Fleet, 1st Marine Division and was wounded in battle. He was awarded the “Purple Heart” and the “Bronze Star.” He was discharged from the Active Service in 1954 but stayed in the Reserves until 1959. After returning from overseas in 1954, Curcio started what would begin his five-decade career in the trucking industry. Curcio began working for a local Hazelton trucking company “Montone Trucking,” and within five years of starting, Curcio became president of the company. Curcio’s no-nonsense business perspective and drive to succeed caught the attention of Zenon Hansen, who at that time was then the president of Mack Trucks. In 1967, Curcio moved his young family of three children to Allentown to take an executive position in Macks trucks. After four years of negative profits in the early 1980s, Jack Curcio was named the president & CEO of Mack Trucks. He quickly turned the company around, as he embodied the same ideals of a Mack truck- American tough and ‘built to last.’ In 1985, Jack Curcio was elected to the “Automotive Hall of Fame,” and named “Automotive Leader of the Year.” Flash forward to 2009, “Jack” Curcio’s dream came to fruition with the opening the “America on Wheels Museum” in Allentown. Within which, the museum documented the impressive history of Mack Trucks and the entire American Automotive. As he rose over the decades in the business arena, Curcio stayed active in many charitable endeavors. He worked tirelessly on boards such as Boy Scotts of America, Korean War Veterans Association, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Notably, Curcio with other business leaders helped support the restoration of the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge and served on the primary board that built The Korean War Memorial. After his retirement, Curcio and his wife Rosemary retired to Beaufort, South Carolina, but stayed involved in many companies such as Bethlehem Steel and Mineral Technologies on their board of directors. Presiding him in death are his parents, John B and Bridget Curcio, and sisters, Joan Heck and Donna Marie Bean. Also, his first grandchild, Robyn Young and his wife of 70 years, Rosemary. He is survived by his three children, Mary Beth Reish, John William Curcio, and Kris Curcio-Porter with husband Robert; grandchildren Joshua Curcio and wife Clara, Cassandra and husband Donald, Jessica Curcio, Rachel and Emily Porter; great-grandchildren, Michael Tyler Young, Braydon Young, and Anabelle Powell. ‘Jack’ Curcio will always be known and loved through a slogan he cherished, “Built Mack Tough”. Funeral Viewing: Thursday June 13th, 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Fierro Funeral Home (26 W 2nd St, Hazleton, PA 18201) & Service: June 14th, 10:00 am at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church (131 E 4th St, Hazleton, PA) Flowers can be sent to the funeral home or donations sent in his name to The Korean War Memorial/National Park Foundation, The Marine Corp League, or Owls Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife. 1 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74250-mack-remembrance-john-%E2%80%9Cjack%E2%80%9D-b-curcio/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 10 Share Posted June 10 wow,,,,thanks for that,,,,just spotted it,,,was quite the amazing individuals to say the least,,wow ,,,,this country could a lot more like him.,,,no i did not know him but i have definately heard his name before somewhere...bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74250-mack-remembrance-john-%E2%80%9Cjack%E2%80%9D-b-curcio/#findComment-553431 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted June 12 Author Share Posted June 12 https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/31725-those-hayes-clipper-100-coes/#comment-191114 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74250-mack-remembrance-john-%E2%80%9Cjack%E2%80%9D-b-curcio/#findComment-553608 Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrybarbon Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 KS please do you know where John Curcio went to work after Mack sold Hayes to Paccar? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74250-mack-remembrance-john-%E2%80%9Cjack%E2%80%9D-b-curcio/#findComment-553675 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted June 13 Author Share Posted June 13 5 hours ago, harrybarbon said: KS please do you know where John Curcio went to work after Mack sold Hayes to Paccar? He was promoted by Zenon to executive VP of international sales where he did well. Before Khomeini took over in 1979, 98 percent of the trucks sold to Iran were Macks. When I ran Mack International, we averaged sales of 4,000 to 4,500 trucks per year in 1975-79 in Iran (7,000 units in 1975). At that time, Iran Drilling was one of our customers. I’m sure they’ve missed the strength, longevity and reliability of a Mack. We still have between 35,000 and 55,000 Mack trucks operating in Iran. John Curcio (August 1987) (When Iran closed its doors to American business in 1979, Mack reported a yearly loss of $60 million on truck assembly kits – the equivalent of 10 trucks per day.) 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74250-mack-remembrance-john-%E2%80%9Cjack%E2%80%9D-b-curcio/#findComment-553686 Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrybarbon Posted June 14 Share Posted June 14 18 hours ago, kscarbel2 said: He was promoted by Zenon to executive VP of international sales where he did well. Before Khomeini took over in 1979, 98 percent of the trucks sold to Iran were Macks. When I ran Mack International, we averaged sales of 4,000 to 4,500 trucks per year in 1975-79 in Iran (7,000 units in 1975). At that time, Iran Drilling was one of our customers. I’m sure they’ve missed the strength, longevity and reliability of a Mack. We still have between 35,000 and 55,000 Mack trucks operating in Iran. John Curcio (August 1987) (When Iran closed its doors to American business in 1979, Mack reported a yearly loss of $60 million on truck assembly kits – the equivalent of 10 trucks per day.) Thank you. I appreciate the information and knowledge you have to share with us. How one event has such a significant financial impact, which probably in combination with other factors caused the demise of Mack Trucks company which lead to the 50% acquisition by Renault. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74250-mack-remembrance-john-%E2%80%9Cjack%E2%80%9D-b-curcio/#findComment-553715 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted June 14 Share Posted June 14 You know I heard in 1965. Mack trucks was in some kind of financial distress. Not sure what that was all about but then the new models came out later that year and everything exploded for them. I read somewhere that they was record sales somewhere around 68 to 1970 for mack trucks. I don’t doubt that Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74250-mack-remembrance-john-%E2%80%9Cjack%E2%80%9D-b-curcio/#findComment-553727 Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrybarbon Posted June 16 Share Posted June 16 I think the R model was the sweet spot for Mack trucks, production was from 1966 to 1990 and some particular models in the R range continued for longer, Mack motors and gear boxes proved their worth and reliability across many applications throughout the period. Just consider that 30,000 plus R models are operating in Iran. Vlad's photos speak volumes, the Iranian R models are not show ponies but they continue to do the job. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74250-mack-remembrance-john-%E2%80%9Cjack%E2%80%9D-b-curcio/#findComment-553803 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted June 17 Author Share Posted June 17 On 6/14/2024 at 6:40 PM, mowerman said: You know I heard in 1965. Mack trucks was in some kind of financial distress. Not sure what that was all about but then the new models came out later that year and everything exploded for them. I read somewhere that they was record sales somewhere around 68 to 1970 for mack trucks. I don’t doubt that In 1965, Mack was on the verge of bankruptcy. The board invited Zenon to come talk with them. Zenon knew the dire situation, but was excited to turn around a great company with huge potential. Alike his friend Vince Lombardi, Zenon loved challenges and wasn't a quitter. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74250-mack-remembrance-john-%E2%80%9Cjack%E2%80%9D-b-curcio/#findComment-553835 Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrybarbon Posted June 17 Share Posted June 17 Thanks for the information. I have observed how history repeats constantly in corporations, companies become successful through the efforts of real leaders, the next leader may maintain the success or even add to it or loss it, then the following CEO wreaks havoc and the company and sadly the many hard working staff suffer. International Harvester is an example of a once hugely successful company that failed. The massive share benefit approved by the Tesla board and shareholders is another example of a wrong decision. The add by Castrol Oil company is valid today and tomorrow - oils ain't oils. Is giving Musk that share allocation going to convert into a world resurgence of Tesla? Will Musk dedicate himself solely to Tesla, I doubt it. The Board of Tesla has failed it's shareholders and the greater community. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74250-mack-remembrance-john-%E2%80%9Cjack%E2%80%9D-b-curcio/#findComment-553842 Share on other sites More sharing options...
james j neiweem Posted August 16 Share Posted August 16 (edited) Who was at the helm when Mack allowed Signal in and who was at the helm when Mack allowed Renault in. Doing business with the devil (Renault) allowed Mack to be floating in the wind for a Volvo (devil 2) takeover. Don't blame Volvo- Blame the Mack board of directors and at the time CEO(devil 3) ! Edited August 16 by james j neiweem Clarification 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74250-mack-remembrance-john-%E2%80%9Cjack%E2%80%9D-b-curcio/#findComment-557103 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted August 17 Share Posted August 17 oh by the way happy delated birthday,,,,the electric vehicle racket has maxed out,,,theres only so many people interested as hot tubs welders skateboards,,,,thier is only so many of the public that need them,,,as far as CEOs go as time goes on thier just getting dumber,,,thier as bad as politicians,,,they just fill the seats and draw big paychecks,,,,,i was talking to a UPS driver a while back and he was telling me its the same way over there all there all thier executives are beancounters none of them really know anything about the business,,,,bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74250-mack-remembrance-john-%E2%80%9Cjack%E2%80%9D-b-curcio/#findComment-557167 Share on other sites More sharing options...
james j neiweem Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 Thanks for the birhday wishes Mowerman Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74250-mack-remembrance-john-%E2%80%9Cjack%E2%80%9D-b-curcio/#findComment-557220 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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