Henry Beck, the founder of injection molder and contract manufacturer Tessy Plastics Corp., died March 9. He was 90.
Born in Munich in 1934, Beck entered a toolmaker apprenticeship at age 16. After finishing his apprenticeship, he spent two years in Brazil training others on the proper use of toolmaking equipment. He immigrated to the United States in 1956 at 22 years old and worked for the Deckel Corp. installing precise toolmaking equipment across the country. He would eventually join the Deckel's sales team.
Beck founded Tessy in Elbridge, N.Y., in 1973.
"The business began in a modest 16,000-square-foot building located at the corner of Route 5 and Hamilton Street. Today, Tessy stands as a symbol of growth, resilience, and success, with nine facilities in central New York, two in Shanghai, China, and two in Pennsylvania," the company said in a March 11 announcement.
Beck married his childhood sweetheart Helga in 1960, and is survived by her and three sons — Ralph, Roland and Ken — plus seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Tessy, which today is based in Skaneateles, N.Y., was the 2000 Plastics News Processor of the Year, and on March 12 will be honored as this year's PN Sustained Excellence award, which is open only to previous Processor of the Year winners.
Henry Beck turned over the president's position to his son Roland in 2002. Today Roland is CEO and Stafford Frearson is president.
"As a family-owned company, Tessy has been built upon the values Henry instilled from day one: dedication, innovation, and a commitment to quality," the company's release said. "Today, Henry's sons proceed his vision ensuring Tessy remains a beacon of excellence in manufacturing."
Calling hours will be March 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home in Skaneateles. Funeral mass will be held on Friday, March 14 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's of the Lake Church, with a reception to follow. Burial will be private at St. Mary's Cemetery.