18.12.2011

Joe Pustizzi 1915 - 2011

Joe Pustizzi founder of Trico Equipment, a pioneer in the aerial lift rental business passed away last Tuesday at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia.

Pustizzi was one of 13 children of Carmelo and Guiseppina Pustizzi who had emigrated to New Jersey from Augusta, Sicily at the turn of the century. He founded Trico in Vineland, New Jersey in 1952 with his wife Angie, operating initially from their two bay garage/filling station and farm equipment business.
Please register to see all images

Joe Pustizzi

In 1957 Putizzi, a talented, but self-taught, mechanic, teamed up with other car racing enthusiasts in the area, to build the Case 300, a modified stock car that won 13 Nascar feature races that year.

Two current day businesses emerged from the original Trico Equipment business, Trico Equipment services, owned and operated by Joe junior, which rents, sells and supports Case construction equipment from four locations, and is one of the largest Case dealership in the northeast.

The other, owned and operated by Ken Pustizzi, is Trico Lift, one of the largest independent powered access companies in the USA, operating from 13 locations in the mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coast markets.

Pustizzi senior retired in 1986 to tend his vines and restore vintage cars. Donations to his memory can be made to the Forest Grove Athletic Association, 1101 Wheaton Avenue, Millville, New Jersey. NJ08332 or to the Sicilian-American Club of South Jersey, 638 East Landis Avenue, Vineland, New Jersey, NJ08360.