Bruno Wessel, 81, founder of Bruno Wessel Inc., a supplier of tire studs and tire studding equipment, died Aug. 2, 2013, in Sarasota, Fla.
Wessel was born in White Plains, N.Y., on May 12, 1932. He started his career in the tire industry in 1972 selling tire studs and studding equipment primarily in the Northeast. Within a short period of time, he had expanded his business to the entire North American market.
Bruno Wessel Inc. opened a Canadian branch in London, Ontario, in 1978.
Today the company is owned by Wessel’s son, Garry Wessel, and managed by Jeff Smith, who started working with the Bruno Wessel family 25 years ago.
Wessel was preceded in death by his wife, Bjorg, whom he married on April 18, 1959, and his brothers Kenneth, George and Kurt Wessel.
Survivors include his sons Garry of White Plains, Rolf (Tina) of Newtown, Conn., daughters Elizabeth (Joe) McKeon of Poughquag, N.Y., and Vivian Wessel of Kristiansand, Norway; plus 10 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
