Obituaries - Dec 7, 2012

Jack Caveney Sr., the founder of Panduit Corp., Tinley Park, Ill., passed away last month after a long, courageous battle with cancer over the past 15 years. A company press statement said, “During this time he showed the same fortitude, courage, and perseverance that he displayed in the execution of his life’s work, building a world-class company. Jack will be missed by many.

“Jack also took steps to ensure the future stability and strength of Panduit. Panduit will continue to operate as a private, family-owned and controlled business. John Caveney will continue as chairman and CEO. Tom Donovan will continue as president. Jerry Caveney will continue as chief legal counsel, and Andrew Caveney will continue as senior V.P. of marketing.”

Art Weisberg, founder of State Electric Supply Co., Huntington, W.Va., and Service Wire Co., Culloden, W.Va., passed away Nov. 24 at age 88. He was well known throughout the electrical industry as the ultimate entrepreneur, a man who, according to an article in West Virginia’s Herald Dispatch, started up State Electric Supply 60 years ago with $2,500 and the moxie to move from his native Brooklyn to West Virginia to sell light bulbs, extension cable and fuses door-to-door from the back of his truck.

Weisberg earned an engineering degree at New York’s City College, and he and his wife, Joan, big believers in the value of education, in 2008 donated $2.5 million to West Virginia’s Marshall University to fund the school’s engineering program. The Herald Dispatch article said Weisberg was at the groundbreaking of the engineering complex last month and served as grand marshal in Marshall University’s homecoming parade. Beneath his gruff, cantankerous outward demeanor was a heart of gold, and he gave generously of his time and wisdom to co-workers and to the West Virginia community that he adopted as his home.