08.07.2005

Wayne A Nicarry 1920-2005

We have just learnt that Wayne A. Nicarry, the last surviving co-founder and past president of Grove Manufacturing of Shady Grove, passed away on Sunday May 29th at the age of 85.
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Wayne A Nicarry in 1987

Nicarry teamed up with Dwight Grove and John L Grove in 1946 to build farm wagons in a rented garage. When the enterprise was formalised in 1947 Wayne Nicarry, whose signature was on the original partnership agreement, dated January 1 19476, became the company’s first treasurer and administrative officer.
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The Original Grove partnership agreement

The three went on to build a hydraulic yard crane which developed into Groves main business. By the early 70’s Grove led the crane market, having overtaken all of the long established traditional crane companies, such as Lorain, P&H, American and others.

Nicarry was the only founder to remain after Kidde bought the company in 1968 and mde Martin Benchoff president and CEO. Nicarry assumed the role of executive vice president of manufacturing operations.

In 1981 he was promoted to President and General manager, and was chief executive at the time he retired in 1985. After his retirement he still put in daily appearances at the Shady Grove offices as a consultant.
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Nicarry in the 70's when Grove became market leaders

In his private Life Nicarry was a lay preacher, a minister in the church of the Brethren and was known as the Rev. Dr. Wayne A. Nicarry.
Born December 15, 1919, in Chambersburg, Franklin County Pennsylvania, he was one of five children, of Harry S. and Margie (Hartman).

His wife, Frances Nicarry, died in April; 2000. He had two sons, Ron and Wayne F, both of whom live in the area.

At the time of his death he was a resident of the Penn Hall Nursing Centre in Chambersburg, he died there at 6 a.m. on Sunday, May 29, 2005. He had been in failing health for the previous three months.