In memorial: John Kulyk

John Kulyk, former president and chairman of the board of Rogers Brothers Corp, died Friday, February 17, 2006. Born in Wellsburg, PA in 1921, he began his career at Rogers Brothers in 1939. In 1941 he married Betty Rogers, daughter of Louis Rogers, one of the three brothers who founded the company. His career was put on hold when he joined the US Army in June 1944, serving with Company G, 276th Infantry Regiment of the 70th Infantry, the “Trailblazers,” during the Battle of the Bulge.

After the war, John resumed his career at Rogers Brothers, serving in a variety of capacities until he was named president in 1958, a position he held until retirement in 1986. He continued on as board chairman until 2005.

Last winter, with the help of a couple friends, he refurbished a one-ton capacity Rogers trailer built circa 1917. With a single axle and hickory wheels, the trailer was displayed at the company's 100th anniversary celebration in August 2005.