Obituary Archives - Transmission Digest
BorgWarner’s Tom Hardies passes

It is with great sadness that we share unexpected news of the Dec. 17 passing of Tom Hardies, Senior Sales Manager at BorgWarner Powertrain. Tom was a remarkable leader; a quiet person with a dry sense of humor he shared with those around him. Outside of his work, Tom was an athlete who enjoyed the

Tom-Hardies
Former APRA president Bill Gager passes away

William C. Gager, former president of the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Associations (APRA), passed away on Nov. 23. He was 79 years old. The APRA Board of Directors sent out the following statement: “Bill and APRA were synonymous. Bill retired at the end of 2013. During his 35 years as president of APRA, Bill made significant

Bill Gager
Industry veteran Leo Frumkin passes away

The transmission industry lost another veteran on June 23 when Leo Frumkin passed away at the age of 93 after a brief illness. Leo was known for his outsized and engaging personality and will be missed by all who knew him. Leo founded National Transmission Products (NATPRO) in 1973, which became one of the longest-surviving

Leo Frumkin
Lucille Treganowan passes

The industry lost a pioneer and Transmission Digest lost a friend on May 19, when Lucille Treganowan passed away in Pittsburgh at the age of 92. With three children to support, Lucille took an office job in an automotive shop in 1960. She eventually learned the ins and outs of transmissions and opened Transmissions By

Lucille-Car-Care-1400
Industry pioneer Pete Kubrick dies

Pete Kubrick passed away last month at the age of 84. Pete was well known as the owner of Kason Transmission Shop and later of Transmission Parts Supply (TPS) headquartered in Texarkana, Texas. TPS grew to open several branches in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. Upon his 2013 retirement, the business was sold to Transtar. Pete

Industry mourns Morris Habif

TD is saddened by the news of the passing of Morris Habif, founder of APD Transmission Parts of Atlanta, early this month. Over the years, Morris owned a number of companies including an Atlanta real estate business.  Founded in 1959, APD was acquired by Transtar Industries in 2006. Morris was preceded in death by his

Morris-Habif